Gingerbread Snowmen

Makes about 6 dozen (3-inch) snowmen

3 1⁄2 cups flour

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1⁄2 teaspoons ground ginger

1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves

2 teaspoons baking soda

3⁄4 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 1 1⁄4 cups granulated sugar

3 tablespoons molasses

1 large egg

For decorating: White chocolate/confectionary coating

Orange-colored confectionary coating

Black candy sprinkles

Dried cranberries

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, spices, baking soda and salt.

In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar and molasses until light and fluffy. Add egg and blend well. Add dry ingredients in two stages and mix well to form a smooth dough.

Divide dough in half and pat to form two large round disks. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate about 1 hour for easier handling.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

On a floured surface, roll out dough to about 1⁄4-inch thickness and cut with floured cookie cutters.

Place on parchment paper-lined cookie sheet 1 inch apart.

Bake in preheated oven 9 to 11 minutes. Let cookies cool completely before icing. To decorate snowmen: Melt white chocolate coating and spread over tops of snowmen cookies. Add black sprinkles for eyes. Melt a little orange-colored coating and add noses to snowmen. Add dried cranberries for buttons.