GINGERBREAD COOKIES

(these are very good for high-detailed cutters)

2 1/2 cups flour
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2-cup molasses
1/2-cup margarine - softened
1/4-cup hot water

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add molasses, margarine and hot water.

Mix with electric mixer until smooth. Refrigerate 2 hours.

Cut dough into thirds and work with one third while keeping the rest of the dough chilled. Roll to 1/4” thickness on floured board. Cut with cookie cutters.

Bake on ungreased cookie sheets for 9 minutes at 375 degrees.

Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet before moving to rack to finish cooling.

Hint: Rather than wait for your cookie dough to chill, take the freshly made dough and place a glob between two sheets of parchment paper. Roll it out to the desired thickness then place the dough and paper on a cookie sheet and pop it into the refrigerator. Continue rolling out your dough between sheets of paper until you have used it all. By the time you are finished, the first batch will be completely chilled and ready to cut. Re-roll leftover dough and repeat the process!

An added bonus is that you are not adding any additional flour to your cookies.

SALT DOUGH ORNAMENTS

Looking for a fun family activity? Need a project for a Cub Scout or Girl Scout troop?
Try this recipe for ornaments that you can paint and keep forever!

2 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
3/4 cup warm water

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add water a little at a time. Mix well until dough is formed. Knead for 3 to 5 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic. Roll to desired thickness and cut with cookie cutters. Use a large spatula to move to an ungreased baking sheet. Use a straw to make holes if you are going to hang them. Air dry overnight, or up to several days for larger pieces, or bake at 225 degrees for 30 minutes to 1-1/2 hours, turning every half hour.

HINTS:
Color dough with food color if you wish.
Paint finished product with craft paint.
Put lotion on your hands before working with dough.
Seal with craft sealers if you wish.

CINNAMON ORNAMENTS

Here's a fun family activity and a great way to make your house smell wonderful!

1/4 cup of white glue
1 cup cinnamon
3/4 to 1 cup water

Combine glue and cinnamon in a small bowl. Add water gradually, mixing until it's the consistency of stiff cookie dough. Chill for 2 hours.
Knead on work surface sprinkled with additional cinnamon.
Roll 1/4 inch thick and cut with cookie cutters.
Punch a hole in the top of each cookie with a drinking straw. Place on waxed paper and dry at room temperature for 4 days, turning twice, or place in slow oven for 2 hours.
Decorate as desired and tie with ribbon hangars.