A Perfect Christmas

From Thanksgiving to Christmas, life has always been a big festival to me. A slew of Thanksgiving birthdays followed by the high-energy shopping rush (tradition as much as consumerism) and many holiday tv specials. I'm a New Englander at heart, and I grew up in an Enchanted Village. So forgive me if I get in your face from time to time, I only want to celebrate with you. To that end, here is the recipe I use for the gingerbread men I make-bake for shorter than the recipe states (I usually do 9-10 minutes rather than 12) because it'll make the cookies soft, which makes them much more popular, as gingerbread men when bought tend to be crispy. There is nothing better than sharing food you've made with a friend and seeing it make them smile.

What You Need

3/4 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Butterscotch Instant Pudding

1 egg

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 Tbsp. ground ginger

1-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Make It

BEAT butter, sugar, dry pudding mix and egg in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Mix remaining ingredients. Gradually add to butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.

HEAT oven to 350°F. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness; cut into gingerbread shapes with 4-inch cookie cutter, rerolling trimmings. Place, 2 inches apart, on baking sheets sprayed with cooking spray. Use straw to make hole near top of each cutout.

BAKE 10 to 12 min. or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 3 min. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate as desired. Insert ribbon through holes to hang cookies on tree.