1 cup butter or shortening
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup molasses
1/2 cup buttermilk
5 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 tbsp. baking soda

Mix dry ingredients, sift 3 times. Beat together butter/shortening (or any combination of the two), brown sugar and molasses until light and fluffy. Add other ingredients, mixing briefly just until combined. Refrigerate overnight.

The next day, roll out to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out shapes. B

Bake in a preheated oven of 400°F for about 10 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Ice if desired: mix evaporated milk, confectioners sugar and vanilla to the consistency needed for flooding or piping; add more milk or more sugar to thicken or thin icing as needed.

Makes good gingerbread men.

Submitted by: Sara