Gingerbread recipes

Barbara Boeving's

Gingerbread

1 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup shortening

1 cup dark brown molasses

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons baking soda

1/4 cup hot water

5 cups flour

2 teaspoons each: ginger,

cinnamon and cloves

Cream sugar and shortening. Add molasses and salt.

Dissolve baking soda in hot water, then add to mixture.

Put spices in flour and add to mixture.

Chill overnight. Roll out and cut pieces.

Bake 350 degrees, about 10

minutes.

Makes 20-25 medium-sized

gingerbread men.

Royal Icing

3 egg whites (medium-sized eggs)

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 pound box powdered sugar

4 drops bottled lemon juice

Beat egg whites until frothy.

Add cream of tartar, powdered sugar, lemon juice

Beat for 7 minutes on medium speed.

Icing must be kept covered.

Use this icing for putting pieces together and for decorating.

Dries hard so keep pastry tips moist.