Aunt Cherie's Famous Gingerbread Cookies

I was scouring my facebook page for a good picture of the fun that ensues when we make these fabulous, life altering gingerbread cookies. And this is what I found. My first thought was, "There has to be some way to crop out the back round." I mean, isn't your kitchen supposed to be spotless when you post pictures of food? With all your ingredients lined up on your granite counter of your updated kitched with trendy back-splash? Certainly, this, with cluttered counters, and lingering laundry baskets, this would not work. And then I remembered my friend Courtney asking the Facebook world if mommies that do all these pinterest projects and Christmas craftings still had time for laundry. And this picture was the answer. No. I am certainly not a pinterest mom. I love moms that are, but for me, it's blood pressure raising. But, to add specialized fun to an already overfull day, requires some sacrifices. And laundry is normally the first to go! And that is ok! You can't do it all. Nobody does. Shouldn't we all know this by now? Make your cookies, and let the children dig in a basket of clean laundry when they need some pajamas. It's ok.  And if you wait for your counters to be clutter free, you may never get the cookies made. So shove it all to the side, and get going!
There are memories to be made!

 And if eggplant parm makes me thing about Paul's Great Aunt Rainy, and  my Great Aunt Adele, then for us, there is no separating the making of these cookies (and the eating) from sweet memories of our trips to NC and our stays with Paul's amazing Aunt Cherie and Uncle Rick and family! And although we are separated by too many states in my opinion, pulling out the gingerbread cookie recipe, and savoring these sweet treats, brings all the memories of our wonderful family visits, to life, and it is very sweet indeed!

 (The three Beautiful sisters, my mother in law Renee, Aunt Cherie, and Aunt Linda)

Warning: I am not responsible for that pounds you gain eating these. I have never been a gingerbread cookie fan, until these.
Click here for the printable version (seriously, so tech savvy!)
 
GINGERBREAD BOYS (from the 1977 Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook)

1/3 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar (packed)

1 1/2 cups dark molasses

2/3 cup cold water

7 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. allspice

1 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. cloves

1 tsp. cinnamon

-Mix shortening, sugar, and molasses thoroughly.  Stir in water.  Measure flour by dipping method or by sifting.  Blend all dry ingredients, stir in.  Chill

         Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Roll dough 1/4" thick on lightly floured board. ( I make mine thicker - try and see which you like - I take them out soft too)  Cut with gingerboy shaped cutter or other favorite cutter. Place far apart on lightly greased baking sheet.  Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until no imprint remains when touched lightly. Ice cooled cookies.  I make frosting paint from confectioners sugar and milk, a drop of vanilla.  I make it so that I can paint it on and then let it dry.  You might have a better frosting.  I like it thin.  Its just a personal preference.