Gingerbread Cutouts

Nothing better than gingerbread cutouts to remind you of Christmas. I think next year will be a gingerbread house.

Gingerbread Cutouts
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1 Tbsp. vinegar
2 1/2 cups flour

Beat shortening 30 seconds on medium speed. Add sugar, baking powder, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon and cloves. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl. Beat in molasses, egg and vinegar until combined. Beat in flour. (You may have to finish mixing by hand.) Cover dough and chill several hours.


Preheat oven to 375ºF. On heavily floured surface, roll out dough half at a time to 1/8-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out cookies. Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheets. Bake 5-6 minutes until edges are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheets 1 minute and then completely on wire racks. Frost and decorate if desired.