Materials
gingerbread dough (see recipe on page 477)
dried currants or raisins cut in halves or fourths
individual baking sheets (3" x 6" pieces of tagboard covered with aluminum foil)
plastic knife (1 per child)
oven
Instructions
1. Make the gingerbread dough with the children. Make sure everyone washes
their hands. Let them help measure the ingredients.
2. Demonstrate the following steps before distributing materials to the
children. You might want to practice using playdough before making the
cookies.
3. Start with a lump of dough about the size of a walnut.
4. Cut the lump of dough in half, noting that both pieces are equal in size.
5. Cut each of the two pieces in half. You now have four equal pieces.
6. With a forward/backward motion, roll two of the pieces to make cylinders.
7. Cut each cylinder in half. Now you have four short cylinders.
8. With a circular motion, make two round spheres.
9. Arrange the spheres on the cookie sheet so they touch. These make the
head and body of the gingerbread man.
10. Using two of the cylinders, place them on either side of the body to make
arms. Use the other two cylinders to make legs the same way.
11. Press with your thumb so the dough is flattened evenly.
12. Make eyes and mouth with the currants or raisins. You may use bits of dried
cranberries for the mouth if you wish.
13. Give each child a baking sheet with his name on it, a small lump of dough,
and a plastic knife. Help them make their cookies.
14. Arrange the individual cookie sheets on a large cookie sheet and bake
at 350 degrees .
Gingerbread Man Recipe
1 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
5 teaspoon water
Mix together butter, sugar, and molasses. Sift flour with spices and soda. Add dry
ingredients to butter mix alternately with water. Knead until smooth. Mold
gingerbread men and bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned.
