Every holiday kitchen needs a gingerbread cookie recipe. First in a large bowl, mix together five cups of flour and two tablespoons of ground ginger, one-and-half teaspoons of baking soda, one teaspoon of ground cloves and a half-a-teaspoon of salt. Now, in a mixer bowl with the flat beater attached, add one cup of granulated sugar and one cup of shortening and set to speed four until it's light and fluffy. Beat in one egg, one cup of molasses and two tablespoons of vinegar. Now, reduce the speed to stir and mix in the flour mixture in three additions. Divide the dough into three disks and wrap with plastic. Refrigerate the dough for at least one hour.

Now, to prepare the frosting. Place six tablespoons of butter in a mixer bowl, with the flat beater attached and set to speed four. Beat until smooth and creamy. Reduce the speed and mix in four-and-a-half cups of confectioner's sugar in two additions. You can also add whipping cream as necessary to make a smooth frosting. Now, also add one teaspoon of vanilla. Set this frosting aside. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Flour your work surface and your rolling pin as well. Work with one disk at a time. You will want to roll out your dough to an eighth of an inch thickness. Using a cookie cutter, cut out your shapes and place them at least two inches apart on a baking sheet. The cookies will take about five minutes to cook and then you can transfer them to a cooling rack. Make sure they are completely cooled before frosting them and then you can dress your ginger bread men and women as you like. So, that they have look their best for their party. Don't be shy. Put your party dress on. Go to holidaykitchen.

tv for a cornucopia of delicious video recipes.