Katy'S Gingerbread Cookies

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat over to 350*.
2. 2
   Blend together butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. 3
   In a separate small bowl combine molasses and 5 tbls. water with a fork.
4. 4
   Stir molasses mixture into butter mixture.
5. 5
   Sift together remaining dry ingredients.
6. 6
   Sift again, and then stir into the butter mixture, 1/2 a cup at a time, until blended.
7. 7
   Wrap dough in waxed paper and refrigerate for several hours.
8. 8
   You can also freeze the dough at this point for several weeks.
9. 9
   When ready to bake - take dough out of fridge a part at a time.
10. 10
    Grease cookie sheets.
11. 11
    Roll out on lightly floured surface until thin, roughly 1/8 of an inch thick.
12. 12
    Cut dough with floured cookie cutters.
13. 13
    Bake about 8 minutes. Cookies should be just slightly browned on the bottom.
14. 14
    Let cool on rack.
15. 15
    For icing: Combine confectioners sugar, a few drops of water and a few drops of food coloring.
16. 16
    Prep time is to make dough, cook time is the actual rolling and baking. Cookie yield is a guess as it depends on how big your gingerbread man cutter is!