Gingerbread Men

I like to play this gingerbread song/story, because it leaves something to the imagination and not nightmares for the babies.  If you think your kids will be fine with the real story try this one gingerbread man.  After we make & decorate the gingerbread men.  Then we reenact the story.  We even use our " Fisher Price little people" and toy cow, horse & fox.  Sometimes we add a giraffe, zebra, pig and whatever other little people animals we have.  It is a lot of fun and on top of that taste wonderful.

                           (decorated by the little ones)

GINGERBREAD MEN
(makes 2 dozen)

Ingredients:
*1/2 cup butter, softened
*1/2 cup granulated sugar
*1/2 cup molasses
*1 large egg
*2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1/2 teaspoon baking soda
*1/2 teaspoon baking powder
*1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*1 teaspoon ground ginger
*1 teaspoon ground cloves
*dash of cayenne pepper

Directions:
~In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup softened butter and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth.
~Stir in 1/2 cup molasses and 1 large egg.
~In a large bowl, sift 2 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground cloves and a dash of cayenne pepper.
~Mix the flour mixture into the molasses mixture until well mixed & smooth.
~Cover or put in a ziploc bag and chill for at least 90 minutes.
~Preheat ove 350 degrees.
~Cut dough into several sections.
~Keep one section out and return the rest into the refrigerator.
~Roll out dough 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface.
~Cut out with gingerbread man shaped cookie cutter (or any other shape you prefer).  I like to place my dough between two sheets of lightly floured parchment paper because then I don't have to use as much flour.  This makes for a softer cookie.)
~Place cookies 2-inches apart on a ungreased cookie sheet.
~Take a pastry brush and brush off any flour (optional).
~Bake for 8-10 minutes.
~Remove from cookie sheet and let cool on a wire rack.
~Let cookie sheet cool down before adding next batch or use a different cookie sheet (I think they come out better when put on a cool cookie sheet).
~Once cookie is cooled, decorate and enjoy.

Helpful Hint:  If you like this idea but don't think your children will eat gingerbread cookies, make them with a sugar cookie recipe.

Breakfast Bars

Make them up and then you have an easy & quick breakfast for those busy days.  Great for a snack too.

BREAKFAST BARS:
(servings 12)

Ingredients:
*2 cups rolled oats
*1/2 cup brown sugar
*1/2 cup wheat germ
*1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
*1 cup whole wheat flour
*1/2 cup dried cranberries
*1/2 cup slivered almonds
*1/2 cup chocolate chips
*3/4 teaspoon salt
*1/2 cup honey
*1 egg, beaten
*1/2 cup pumpkin puree
*2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions:
~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
~Grease a 9x13 inch pan.
~In a large mixing bowl, mix oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, cranberries, almonds, chocolate chips & salt.
~In a small bowl, mix honey, egg, pumpkin & vanilla.
~Mix, mix honey mixture into dry ingredients.
~Pour the mixture into your prepared pan and spread out, leaving about a once inch space around the sides (it will spread out to the edges as it cooks).
~Bake for 20-25 minutes, or when the edges start to turn a light brown (do not overcook).
~Cool for 5-7 minutes and then cut.