Our Family's Gingerbread Cookies

What with Christmas getting closer (after all, this is Week 8 already of the 12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies), I just had to share my family's recipe for gingerbread cookies. Making these cookies during the holidays has been a long cherished tradition. Every year, we come up with a different decorating theme. One year, it was cartoon characters. Another year, we decided to dress them in hula skirts and aloha shirts (since we're from Hawaii). It's always a fun time and we love showing off our artistic skills (though my youngest sister surpasses us all with her cookies). Of course, the best part is eating them.


Gingerbread Cookies

2/3 c. light brown sugar, packed
2/3 c. dark corn syrup
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
2/3 c. butter or margarine
1 egg
4 c. flour

Put sugar, syrup, spices, and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add the baking soda and butter and stir until the butter melts. Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool a little. Stir in the egg and then the flour. Mix well.

Form the dough into disks, wrap them in waxed paper, and chill until they are firm enough to roll. Roll out on a floured surface to about 1/4" thickness. Cut in shapes and bake at 350F for about 12-15 min. Decorate with icing as desired.