1 cup dark brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 cup unsulfured molasses

6 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

4 teaspoons ground ginger

4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon finely ground black pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Steps:

1. Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, beat in eggs and molasses. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt together. Stir this mixture into the butter mixture.

3. Divide the dough into three sections and wrap each in plastic wrap. Put them in the refrigerator for one hour.

4. Roll dough 1/8 inch thick.

5. Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into fun gingerbread shapes.

6. Put shapes on an ungreased cookie sheet.

7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, but keep an eye on the cookies making sure they don’t get too crispy.

8. Decorate!

You can find this recipe and other delicious holiday recipes at the Web site www.christmas-cookies.com.