Gingerbread People

Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and ground cloves; set aside.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl beat butter for 30 seconds with an electric mixer.

Step 3: Add sugar; beat until fluffy.

Step 4: Add egg, molasses, and vanilla; beat until combined.

Step 5: Beat in ginger and as much of the flour mixture as you can with the mixer.

Step 6: Stir in remaining flour with a wooden spoon.

Step 7: Cover; chill dough about 3 hours, or overnight, or until easy to handle.

Step 8: Preheat oven to 375 degree F.

Step 9: On a lightly floured surface roll dough to about 1/8-inch thickness.

Step 10: Cut dough using 5-inch gingerbread people cookie cutters.

Step 11: Arrange the cutouts about 1 inch apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet.

Step 12: Bake for 5 to 6 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are light brown.

Step 13: Cool cookies on a wire rack.

Step 14: Pipe designs on cookies with tinted Royal Icing if desired