Nanacarole, I've always (forever!) used the Gingerbread Boys recipe from the 1956 Betty Crocker cookbook--I raised my children and now my grandchildren on this recipe. Here it is: 1/3 cup soft shortening, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 cups dark molasses--Mix these three ingredients thoroughly. Then stir in: 7 cups sifted Gold Medal flour, 1 teaspoons soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon allspice, 1 teaspoon giner, 1 teaspoon cloves, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Chill dough. Roll out very thick (1/2"). Cut with gingerbread boy cutter. With a pancake turner, carefully transfer gingerbread boys to lightly greased baking sheet. Press raisins into dough for eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons down the front. Bake. Cool slightly, then carefully remove from baking sheet. If desired, use Easy Decorating Icing to outline collar, cuffs, belt, and shoes. (We only use the raisins for decorating). Hope this helps!