Gingerbread Men

Gingerbread Men
yield: about 18 large gingerbread men, more if you use a small or medium sized cutter

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup molasses
2 T vinegar
5 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 T ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves

Cream shortening and sugar till light and fluffy. Stir in egg, molasses and vinegar; beat well.
Add dry ingredients. Chill thoroughly; about 3 hours.

On lightly floured surface, roll to 1/4" thick (no thinner) and cut with cutter. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Add raisins or butterscotch chips for eyes,nose, and buttons.
Bake 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes, depending on size of the men.
Cool and remove.

Good-For-You Gingerbread

Good-For-You Gingerbread from Evelyn Tribole's Healthy Homestyle Cooking
9 servings: 166 calories each (.4g fat, 38g carbohydrate, 1.4g fiber, 3.6g protein)

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 tsp ground ginger
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
1/2 cup lowfat buttermild
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 1/2 cup light molasses

In a large bowl, stir together the flours, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda.

In a small bowl, combine the egg whites, buttermilk, applesauce, and molasses.
Add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture and beat with an electric mixer until combined.
Transfer the batter to an 8"x8"x2" baking pan that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes and then remove from pan and serve.