Mix thoroughly in a bowl:

1/4 cup soft shortening

1/2 cup sugar

Mix in:

1/2 cup dark molasses

1/4 cup water

Stir together in another bowl:

2 & 1/2 cup flour

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp soda

3/4 tsp ginger

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp allspice

Mix the dry ingredients into molasses mixture. Chill dough 2-3 hours. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet.

Divide dough into 3 portions. Place 2 potions in refrigerator until ready to use. On a lightly floured board, roll out 1 portion of dough with floured rolling pin. Roll to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with gingerbread cutter dipped in flour. With a wide spatula, carefully place gingerbread boys and girls on prepared baking sheet.

After the people are line up you can decorate them with raisins, red cinnamon candies, or bits of gumdrops.

Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool slightly, then carefully removed from baking sheet. Cool on wire rack. Make outlines for collar, cuffs, belt and shoes with cream frosting. Makes about 15 Gingerbread boys and girls.

Creamy frosting: Mix 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 4 tsp milk, and 1/4 tsp vanilla in small bowl. Tint with food coloring.

Recipe by E. Jean Sharpe

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