Gingerbread Figures

[Cookie]

A treat for little (or big) kids! Leave as is or glaze or decorate with icing and small candy silver balls.

1/2 cup butter or hard margarine, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup fancy molasses
1 egg yolk (large)
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt

Frosting:
1 egg white, large
2 cups icing (confectioners) sugar
Makes 12 to 16 gingerbread men cookies or a variety of other shapes
Cream butter, sugar, molasses and egg yolk together until light.
Add next 8 ingredients.
Mix well.
Wrap in plastic and chill at least 1 hour.
Roll out.
Cut into shapes with cookie cutters.
Arrange on baking sheet.
Bake in 350F oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
Cool.

Frosting:
Beat egg white with spoon in medium bowl.
Beat in as much icing sugar as needed until icing will hold its shape.
Ice cookies.

Gingerbread Lollipops:
Shape 1/4 to 1/3 cup dough into ball.
Insert wooden stick.
Place on greased cookie sheet.
Press with botom of tumbler to 1/4" thick.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
Cool.