Gingerbread Men

• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/3 cup dark corn syrup
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger
• 1 1/4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground cloves
• 1 1/4 cups butter or margarine
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon water
• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• Decorations: sugar crystals, decorator frosting, red cinnamon candies

1. Cook first 6 ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add butter, stirring until melted.
2. Combine baking soda and 1 tablespoon water; stir into sugar mixture. Pour sugar mixture into a bowl; gradually add flour, beating at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric mixer until blended.
3. Divide dough into thirds. Roll one-third of dough to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface (chill remaining dough). Cut with a 5 1/2-inch gingerbread man cutter, and place on lightly greased baking sheets.
4. Bake at 350u0b0 for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool 1 minute on pan; remove cookies to wire racks, and cool completely. Repeat procedure with remaining dough. Decorate as desired.

sugar, water, corn syrup, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, butter, baking soda, water, allpurpose, sugar crystals

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/gingerbread-men-1 (may not work)