Gingerbread Buddies

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup water
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Cinnamon bear-shaped crackers
• Cinnamon Chex
• Frosted bite-sized shredded wheat cereal
• 1-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 5 teaspoons water
• 1 teaspoon light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Paste food coloring
• Assorted candies

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses and water. In another bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll.
2. Preheat oven to 350u0b0. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a 3-1/2-in. gingerbread man cookie cutter. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased
3. . Place a bear-shaped cracker, Cinnamon Chex piece or mini shredded wheat piece in center of each cookie. Gently fold cookie arms toward cracker or cereal piece; press lightly to adhere to bear.
4. Bake 12-14 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
5. In a small bowl, beat confectioners' sugar, water, corn syrup and vanilla until smooth. Tint frosting as desired with paste food coloring. Transfer frosting to a resealable plastic bag; cut a very small hole in a corner of bag. Pipe frosting onto cookies. Decorate as desired with candies.

butter, sugar, molasses, water, flour, ground ginger, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, salt, cinnamon, cinnamon, cereal, sugar, water, light corn syrup, vanilla, coloring, candies

Taken from www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/gingerbread-buddies/ (may not work)