GETTING READY

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

MAKING

3. Place a medium sized pot over medium flame, add sugar, water, dark corn syrup, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves in it. Stir and cook until sugar dissolves.

4. Remove the pot from heat and throw butter in it. Mix until butter melts. Set aside.

5. In a separate bowl, mix together baking soda and water. Pour it into sugar mixture and mix well.

6. Into a large mixing bowl, transfer the sugar mixture.

7. Gradually add flour, beating constantly with electric mixture at medium speed until well blended.

8. Divide dough into thirds. On lightly floured surface, transfer the dough and roll one-third of the dough to 1/8-inch to ¼-inch thick sheet.

9. With a 5 ½-inch gingerbread man cutter, cut the dough into cookies. Place cookies on baking sheet.

10. Pop the baking sheet in oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until gingerbread men begin to brown around edges.

11. Remove baking sheet from oven and place cookies on wire rack to cool completely. Repeat procedure with remaining dough.

SERVING

12. Decorate cookies with icing and serve with iced tea.

TIPS

If you choose to use cinnamon candies for eyes or shirt buttons, put them firmly in place before putting gingerbread men cookies in the oven