Gingerbread... good enough to eat!

I mentioned in my Christmas 2012 post that I baked an insane amount of gingerbread for Christmas Jumper Day at Save the Children. I really need to share this recipe because it is one of the best and most consistent recipes I've ever made. The original is here but below is how I adapted it to make these adorable men and Santa hat stars!

Each with their own unique Christmas Jumper! 

Gingerbread Cookies

Makes 25 5inch diameter rounds

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon ground ginger

1 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

1 large egg

1/2 cup molasses

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (optional) 

1 batch of buttercream frosting

food colouring

Method
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves until well blended.

In a large bowl (KitchenAid's great for this) beat butter, brown sugar, and egg on medium speed until well blended.

These were my favourite, so cute!

Add molasses, vanilla, and lemon zest and continue to mix until well blended.

Gradually stir in dry ingredients until blended and smooth.

Divide dough in half and wrap each half in plastic and let stand at room temperature for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours.

Preheat oven to 375°. Grease cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Place 1 portion of the dough on a lightly floured surface.Sprinkle flour over dough and rolling pin.

Roll dough to a scant 1/4-inch thick.Use additional flour to avoid sticking.

Cut out cookies with desired cutter.

Space cookies on the sheet 1 1/2-inches apart.

Bake 1 sheet at a time for 7-10 minutes (the lower time will give you softer cookies).

Remove cookie sheet from oven and allow the cookies to stand until the cookies are firm enough to move to a wire rack.

After the cookies are cool you may decorate them any way you like. I made up a batched of buttercream frosting and coloured it red, green and white. Then piped the gingerbread men's sweaters free hand anyway I felt. For the stars I filled in one point with thin red frosting then with a thicker nozzle piped the white trim and pompom on top.