Submitted by Jillian Lemons

Ingredients

• 3 c flour
• 2 tsp ginger, ground
• 1 tsp cinnamon, ground
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg, ground
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 c butter, softened
• 3/4 c firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 c molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt in large bowl. Set aside. Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg and vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured work surface. Cut into gingerbread men shapes with 5-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are set and just begin to brown. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate cooled cookies as desired. Store cookies in airtight container up to 5 days.