Ginger Bread Cookies

Takes 30-40 minutes to prepare; 8-10 minutes to bake. Makes about 16 ginger bread cookies.

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup dark molasses or barley malt extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup water

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Blend butter and sugar until creamy. Beat in molasses (or extract).
2. Sift flour. Re-sift flour with baking soda, cloves, cinnamon, ginger and salt.
3. Add the sifted ingredients to the butter mixture in about three equal parts, alternatively with water.
4. Roll out dough to about 1/8" thickness, cut with ginger bread cookie form, transfer to greased cookie sheet and decorate with sprinkles.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cookies are done when the dough springs back after pressing with finger. Let cool for 10 minutes and transfer to cooling rack.