- 1). Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- 2). Beat shortening and sugar together in a large bowl. Stir in molasses.
- 3). Sift baking soda, ground cloves, ginger, cinnamon and flour together in a large bowl. Stir this mixture plus water into the sugar and shortening mixture, alternately adding the water and baking soda mixture to the shortening mixture.
- 4). Stir until mixed thoroughly and refrigerate 6-8 hours.
- 5). Cut dough into three equal pieces, knead each piece lightly and then use a rolling pin to roll out each piece to a 1/4-inch thickness.
- 6). Use holiday cookie cutters made in the shapes of gingerbread people and houses to cut shapes out of the dough.
- 7). Use a medium- to large-sized drinking straw or the end of a wooden chopstick to make a hole at the top of each shape.
- 8). Put cookies on cookie sheets and bake for about 20 minutes. Turn oven off and allow cookies to cool in the oven. This will help harden the cookies.
- 9). Place cookies on racks to completely harden. Place racks in a cool, dry place and let sit for two to three days.
- 10
Coat cookies with clear acrylic or varnish and allow cookies to dry thoroughly. - 11
Paint cookies with acrylic paints as desired. Allow paint to dry thoroughly. - 12
Thread a 5- to 6-inch length of narrow ribbon or cording through the hole at the top of each ornament. Knot ends and hang ornaments.
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