I used to say this was our only family holiday tradition. On further thought, there are lots of other little typical objects and routines: felt stockings my mom made in the 1970s, our tree has several red teardrop-shaped glass ornament, we leave cookies out for Santa, I get to open a present on Christmas eve, we take turns opening our presents on Christmas morning (from under the tree first, then from stockings)....
But this is the most important one. Voila our gingerbread, originally from Joy of Cooking but much adapted to particular taste and fondness for chewy cookies.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees; check for doneness at 6-7 minutes depending on thickness.
Blend together 1/4 C butter and 1/2 C sugar (we use half brown, half white)
Add 1/2 C dark molasses, blend well.
Sift following together:
3 and 1/2 C flour
1 t soda
1/4 t cloves
1/2 t cinnamom
1 t. ginger
Mix into the molasses mixture, alternating with 1/4 to 1/3 C. water--may have to mix with hands. Get a rolling consistency and roll, cut, put on greased cookie pan, and cook. I usually decrease the cloves and ginger and increase the cinammon. Have fun!
