Gingerbread Men

1 c packed brown sugar
1/3 c shortening
1 ½ c dark molasses
2/3 c cold water
7 c flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Mix brown sugar, shortening, molasses and water. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Heat oven to 350. Grease cookie sheet lightly. Roll about ¼ of the dough ¼” thick on floured board. Cut with floured cookie cutter. Place about 2” apart on cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until no indentation remains when touched; cool.

Decorate as desired. I like to use white frosting and red hots.