gingerbread boys and girls

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups dark molasses
• 2/3 cup cold water
• 7 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon crushed cloves (optional)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 egg yolks
• 10 drops food coloring
• 1/2 teaspoon water
• 3/4 cup raisins

Recipe

• mix shortening, brown sugar, and molasses thoroughly. stir in 2/3 cup water. blend flour, soda, salt, and spices; stir into molasses mixture. chill for about 1 hour.
• roll the dough about 1/4 inch thick. cut with boy and girl cookie cutters.
• make egg yolk paint by blending egg yolks and 1/2 teaspoon water. divide the yolk among a few small bowls, and add food coloring to each cup for desired color. paint the clothes and decorations on the cookies as desired. carefully transfer to a lightly greased baking sheet. using a toothpick, make a hole in the top of each cookie. press raisins into dough for eyes, nose, mouth. use bits of candied cherries for coat buttons, and strips of citron for ties.
• bake at 350 degrees f (175 degrees c) for 10 to 12 minutes. cool slightly, then carefully remove from baking sheet.