Gingerbread Bears Makes 36 to 48 cutouts (depending on size of cookie cutter) 1 cup shortening 1 cup sugar 5 cups self-rising flour* 1½ teaspoons ground ginger ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ¼ teaspoon allspice 1 cup dark molasses ½ cup water 1 gallon-sized food storage bag *or use 5 cups all-purpose flour, 5 teaspoons baking powder, and 1½ teaspoons salt (optional) Day 1 - Prepare gingerbread dough 1. In large mixing bowl at medium speed on the electric mixer, beat together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. 2. In separate medium-sized bowl, measure the flour, ginger, nutmeg and allspice. Stir together with a wire whisk until well-combined. 3. With a spoon, stir molasses, water, and flour mixture into the shortening mixture. 4. Put dough into food storage bag. Close the bag with a twist tie. Refrigerate overnight. Day 2 - Bake and store cookies for decoration 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. 2. Roll half the dough ¼-inch thick on a lightly floured surface or dough board. 3. Use a bear-shaped cookie cutter to cut dough. Place cut-out bears onto ungreased baking sheets. 4. Bake at 375°F until lightly browned and cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes. 5. Immediately remove to cooling racks. 6. Once cooled, return to clean baking sheets. Give to teacher for storage. Tips for rolled cookies  •  Keep unused dough chilled so it absorbs less flour; cookies will be more tender • To avoid sticking, roll half the dough at one time on a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin • Dip cookie cutter in flour • Place cutters close together so there is as little dough left to re-roll as possible Source: Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook Nutrition information: One of 48 unfrosted cookies provides: 119 calories; 4 g total fat (2 g saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 168 mg sodium; 144 mg potassium; 18.6 g carbohydrate (5 g sugar); 1 g protein; 0.4 g dietary fiber; and 1.5 mg iron Day 3 - Decorate bears so they are all decked out with someplace to go Teacher or guest may want to demonstrate the use of decorator's tubes before starting. 1. Make icing: In small mixing bowl on low speed of electric mixer, beat 2 cups confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons water until well-combined. Have teacher check consistency. Keep icing bowls covered with a damp cloth to prevent drying. 2. Divide icing between three bowls. Add food coloring to make the colors you want. (For ideas, see Color Chart for Colored Sugar for Decorating.) Spoon large spoonfuls into three decorator's tubes. 3. Decorate the bear shapes with clothes, features, hair, etc. Let your guests make suggestions or help, if possible. 4. Let everyone choose one to eat. Put the rest on the packaging table to freeze. See additional decorating tips at www.homebaking.com links. Back to The Kindness Company