I know gingerbread is mostly thought about during the holidays, but if you love it, why not enjoy it whenever you want.  Gingerbread men would be great for a football game.  Ice them in uniforms of your teams colors.  Word of warning:  this makes a ton of cookies!  This is a soft gingerbread and has been a family favorite for many years.

Gingerbread – I get about 25 – 30 gingerbread men from this recipe.

 1 1/2 c dark molasses

1 c packed brown sugar

2/3 c cold water

1/3 c butter

35 oz AP flour (7 c)

2 t baking soda

2 t ground ginger

1 t salt

1 t ground allspice

1 t ground cloves

1 t ground cinnamon

Mix the molasses, brown sugar, water and butter.  Stir in the remaining ingredients until the flour is “just” combined.

Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Roll the dough 1/4 inch thick and cut with cookie cutters.  Place about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet that is lightly greased and bake at 350 degrees F for 10 – 12 minutes.  Cool and frost as desired.  You can use either a buttercream frosting, a crusting buttercream frosting, or a powder sugar and milk frosting.  You what you like for frosting or don’t frost at all.  They are delicious either way.