Gingerbread people

Mom was a bit of a perfectionist. Her home was always clean and orderly. Her outfits were simple but chic. And her food had to look as good as it tasted. She took pride in everything she prepared but also learned she could use store-bought things to save time. Sometimes she just didn't want her guests to know that's what she did.

One time she had purchased sugar cookies from the grocery store and then frosted them in beautiful multi-colored swirls before some friends arrived. When the guests started exclaiming how good they looked and tasted, I blew her cover by announcing she decorated them but didn't bake the cookies. Oh boy, did I get the evil-eye!

I love to save time with store-bought too. There are also times when you do what's possible with the time available. This cookie recipe works great if you only have enough time to drop blobs on cookie sheets and bake. Or you can go all out and give them frosting faces and outfits. I tend to bake them as gingerbread men and leave 'em naked. Not perfect, but pretty tasty.

Gingerbread cookies, makes 3 dozen

• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 tsp. cinnamon

1. Cream butter with sugar and molasses. Add egg.
2. Whisk together flour, soda, salt and spices in a separate bowl. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix well.
3. Chill dough in refrigerator for a few hours.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Dust your work surface lightly with flour and roll out dough to desired thickness.
5. 5. Cut into shapes and place on greased cookie sheets. Bake 8 to 10 mins.
6. 6. While cookies are still warm, you can add raisins or other decorations. Or let cool and frost. They are really good with no decoration at all -- crisp and spicy like ginger snaps

Comments

[Barbara Day]

This looks like a great recipe. I am definitely going to bake these before Christmas. I love the photos that you are posting along with the recipes. What a great way to remember your mom.