Martha's Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

2 sticks unsalted butter (I used regular)

1 C packed brown sugar

4 tsp ginger

4 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp cloves

1 tsp black pepper (honest!!)

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 large eggs

1 C Molasses (I used dark)

Sift dry ingredients together, in another bowl cream the butter and the sugar. Mix in spices, eggs and molases before finally adding flour. Note:I did not use as much flour as it called for, maybe about 5 1/4- 5 1/2 Cups for me, but I am borderline high altitude here in Utah. Use common sense and stop adding flour when it looks and feels "right".

Chill the dough at least an hour before baking. (I divided the dough up into 6 parts and made them a thick pancake shape before wrapping them in plastic wrap- this way it was easy to take out a bit at a time to work with and most of the dough stayed chilled until I was ready to roll that part out.)

350 F

8-10 minutes.