Yields 6 men or 3½ dozen 2" cookies
Men or Cookies:
2
cups flour, sifted
1
teaspoon baking powder
1/4
teaspoon baking soda
1/3
cup sugar
1
teaspoon cinnamon
1/2-1
teaspoon ginger
1/2
cup butter
1/2
cup molasses
2 tablespoons hot tap water
Sift together dry ingredients. Heat butter & molasses over low heat in large saucepan, just until butter melts. Add dry ingredients & water; stir until blended. Chill thoroughly, at least 1 hour. Meanwhile prepare filling.
Knead or work chilled dough into a ball on lightly floured board. Roll out to 1/8" thickness. Shape into gingerbread men with cookie cutter or as desired. Fill center with filling & top with another cookie. Decorate as desired. Bake at 400º for 8-10 minutes. For plain ginger cookies bake ~5 minutes.
Apple Butter Filling:
3/4
cup apple butter
1/3
cup chopped dates
1/3
cup sugar
1 tablespoon butter
Cook apple butter, chopped dates & sugar for ~3 minutes, stirring constantly. Blend in butter & cool.