Holiday baking begins… Aren't these chubby little guys cute? They are my PC version of gingerbread men, and they are the perfect cookie to try if you're planning to bake with your little ones. Tiny hands can help roll the dough into balls, or add the candy buttons, while you handle the hot oven. The gingerbread dough can be made the night before - a real timesaver. And, these soft and gingery bears freeze beautifully.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup [240g] butter
2/3 cup [120g] packed brown sugar
2/3 cup [160mL] molasses
4 cups [480g] flour
1 1/2 t [7.5mL] ground cinnamon
1 t [5mL] ground ginger
3/4 t [3.75mL] baking soda
1/2 t [2.5mL] ground cloves
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 t [7.5mL] vanilla
miniature candy pieces, such as M&M's

DIRECTIONS

Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

In a saucepan combine butter, brown sugar and molasses. Cook and stir over medium heat until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Pour into a large mixing bowl; cool 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, soda and cloves.
Add egg and vanilla to butter mixture and mix well. Add the flour mixture until well combined. Cover and chill the dough at least 2 hours or overnight.
To make each bear, shape dough into 13 balls of the following sizes: one (1-inch) for body, one (3/4-inch) for head, six (1/2-inch) for ears, arms and legs and five (1/4-inch) for nose and paws. [Metric - one (2.5cm) ball for body, one (19mm) ball for head, six (13mm) balls for ears, arms and legs and five (6mm) balls for nose and paws.]
Assemble as shown below: On an ungreased cookie sheet (or one with parchment paper), flatten the 1-inch ball to 1/2 inch for body. Attach the 3/4-inch ball for head and flatten to 1/2 inch. Attach the 1/2-inch balls for arms, legs and ears. Place one of the 1/4-inch balls on head for nose. Arrange remaining 1/4-inch balls atop ends of arms and legs for paws. Place 2 candy pieces on body as buttons.
Bake in 350 degree [177C] oven for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Carefully remove with a flat metal spatula and cool on wire racks.