Supplies:
3 TBS. shortening
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup molasses
3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. each ground cloves, cinnamon, and ginger
 
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
 
2. Beat shortening and sugar together until light and fluffy; then stir in the molasses. 
 
3. Sift the dry ingredients together; then stir them into shortening mixture in 3 parts alternating with a 1/4 cup of water each time. Dough will be stiff.
 
4. Use cinnamon to dust countertop and roll out dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your shapes. Use a straw to poke a hole for hanging.
 
5. Cook on a cookie sheet for 20 minutes then turn off oven and let cool in the oven. You may need to flip these a few times. Let cookies air dry for a day or so. 
 
6. When completely dry, you can paint these with acrylic paint; seal the front (so you can still smell the backs!) with modge podge or polyurethane sealer or dip into melted candle wax to seal and scent.

*If you want a lighter colored gingerman, substitute light corn syrup for the molasses or go half and half. You can also use wheat flour for a different look! If you want some puffy ornaments, substitute 1/2 the regular flour with self rising flour! 

*Don't forget to poke a hole in the ornament before you bake or air dry them! You won't be able to get a hole in it after it's dry.

*For Christmas, we make some gingerbread ornies and put each one in a bag with a topper with the recipe and send them in with my kids for their classmates! Nothing better than passing a tradition on to another family!
 
 *I like to use mini cookie cutters to cut out small versions of trees, hearts, stars, angels, gingers etc...and then I add them to potpourri or I put them in a mason jar! There are TONS of ideas that you can make besides ornaments!

~Megan