INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 12 tablespoons (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• ¾ cup molasses

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and salt.
2. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Mix in the egg and molasses.
4. On low speed, mix in half the flour mixture, then repeat until well combined.
5. Shape the dough into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 3 hours.
6. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a ¼ inch thickness. Cut out gingerbread men using the cookie cutter and place them 1 inch apart on the baking sheets.
8. Freeze the cookies for 15 minutes.
9. Bake until the cookies are firm to the touch and look dry, about 10 minutes.
10. While the cookies are still warm, gently press 3 Red Hots down the center for buttons.
11. Let cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.