[https://www.marthastewart.com/336115/gingerbread-people](https://www.marthastewart.com/336115/gingerbread-people)

- 3 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for rolling

- ~~2~~ 4 teaspoons ground ginger

- ~~1/4~~ 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

- ~~1/4~~ 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

- 1 teaspoon baking soda

- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

- 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

- 1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar

- 1 large egg

- 3/4 cup unsulfured molasses

- 2 cups confectioners' sugar (optional)

- 4 teaspoons powdered egg whites (meringue powder) (optional)

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy; beat in egg and molasses. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture; mix just until combined. Divide dough in half; flatten into disks. Wrap each in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours and up to 2 days, or freeze up to 3 months (thaw before baking).

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with racks set in upper and lower thirds. Working with one disk at a time, place dough on lightly floured parchment paper, and roll out to 1/8 inch thick, dusting lightly with flour as needed. Using paper, lift dough onto two baking sheets; freeze until firm, about 20 minutes.

3. Remove paper and dough from baking sheets. Using a long offset spatula, loosen dough from paper. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters, and brush off any excess flour. Transfer to baking sheets. (Gather scraps, briefly freeze, and re-roll.)

4. For softer cookies, bake 8 to 10 minutes; for crunchier cookies, bake 11 to 12 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. Optional ~~Make icing: In a large bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar, powdered egg whites, and 1/4 cup water (if needed, adjust consistency with confectioners' sugar). Transfer icing to a pastry bag with a small tip, or place in a resealable plastic bag, and snip a small hole in one corner. Decorate cookies as desired.~~