Favorite Christmas Cookie

Molly's class had a holiday party on Tuesday and we were asked to bring something that represents one of the traditions we celebrate. Well crap, we don't really have any traditions except spending hours in the car going from one place to another. So I figured that I should send in some gingerbread cookies, for several years we did have a big cookie day but haven't been able to round everyone up the past year or two. Gingerbread is one of my favorite things to make and I've been doing it a long time. So here is my recipe that I've been tweaking over the years I hope you enjoy it :)

Gingerbread Cookies

8 Tbsp butter (yes REAL butter none of that fake stuff!)
1/2 C. white sugar
1/2 C. molasses (man alive this stuff smells awful!)
1 egg
2 C. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground clove
1 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp allspice
sprinkle of nutmeg

Beat the butter with the sugar and molasses. Mix in egg. Sift dry ingredients and mix into wet mixture. Chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Heat oven to 325 degrees. Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper. Roll out a portion of the dough 1/4 inch thick (leaving the rest in the fridge) on a well floured surface. Cut dough with a floured cookie cutter basic shapes give the best results. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are a little crisp. Enjoy the smell of freshly made gingerbread!