Gingerbread Sailors And Mermaids

• 1 1/2 cups butter
• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey or molasses
• 1 large egg
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• Candy decorations and sprinkles (optional)

1. Beat first 2 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixture until fluffy. Beat in honey and egg.
2. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating until blended.
3. Shape dough into 2 flat disks. Cover with plastic wrap; chill at least 1 hour or until firm.
4. Preheat oven to 350u0b0. Line several large baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick aluminum foil. Roll out dough, 1 section at a time, to 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut out gingerbread shapes with cookie cutters. Re-roll trimmed-off dough to make additional cookies. Place 1 inch apart on prepared sheets.
5. Bake cookies, in batches, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool 1 minute on baking sheets; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
6. Decorate cookies with Royal Icing or prepared frosting in a tube, and candy and sprinkles, if desired. Let icing harden at least 1 hour.

butter, brown sugar, honey, egg, allpurpose, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, baking soda, sprinkles

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/gingerbread-sailors-mermaids (may not work)