Lebkuchenherz

Gingerbread heart

3 ¼ cups flour

¾ tsp salt

1 ½ tsp baking powder

¾ tsp baking soda

1 tsp ginger

¼ tsp ground cloves

2 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

¾ cup Crisco

¾ cup sugar

¾ cup molasses

1 egg

In medium bowl mix together flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and spices. In large mixing bowl cream together Crisco and sugar. Add molasses and egg and beat well. Gradually add dry ingredients. Stir to form stiff dough. Chill one hour. On lightly floured board roll dough ¼ inch thick. Cut in heart shapes. (The hearts should be big enough so that you can decorate them. I cut a heart out of cardboard, place it on the dough and trace around it.)

Place hearts 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 ‘ for 5-6 minutes (Do Not Overbake!). Cool slightly, remove from cookie sheet and cool on rack. Decorate with frosting.