I love this recipe and make it every year. It is easy to work with and has great flavor. Thank you!

I've been using this recipe for years. Obviously I love it. The gingerbread is nice and spicy. I even add a bit more of the spices, sort of "and one for the pot" of each. Love the black pepper. I just noticed you're supposed to refrigerate them after you've cut and put them on the sheet. I've never done that and have had not trouble. I'll try it this year and see if/how it helps. Of course you don't just have to make snowflakes. I have but have also made stars, over-sized snowflakes, autumn leaves, cornucopia, choo-choo trains, and of course, gingerbread men. Wish I could add some photos.

Spicy and festive, and it's still my favorite. But I don't use 6 cups of flour; 4 is perfect. They'll be too tough otherwise and more suited for ornaments than cookies.

Yep, this is a favorite. European friends say "Yes - THIS is gingerbread". It's the pepper - it adds a spicy kick. It can be too spicy for kids, which is why I dip the gingerbread men in white chocolate - just for pants or shoes. If a kid bites a cookie that's too spicy, they can lick off the white chocolate. Then the gingerbread men are naked, but - oh well!

I've been using this recipe for quite a few years. I've also dabbled in other gingerbread recipes each year, but this one remains my favourite. Slight modifications: I sometimes have to use less flour, and I always add a tablespoon of vanilla.

This has been my go-to gingerbread cookie recipe for years. It is pleasantly spicy, but mild enough for a picky child to enjoy. The royal icing with lemon is a must, as the sweet lemon flavor perfectly sets off the spices in the cookies. The cookies come out hard and have a great "snap" to them when you bite in. They store really well and are not fragile -- excellent for gifting. This recipe makes a really big batch -- enough for several plates to share and one to keep for yourself!

Hi, I need help. Can someone guide me as to which royal icing recipe should I use for this gingerbread? I am new to baking and not sure which royal icing recipe to use. Thanks.

I have made this gingerbread recipe every year for at least 5 years. I double the batch and generally get 80-100 cookies. (The snowflake cutter they used for this must be HUGE.) I cannot tell you how many people have told me that they're not only the best gingerbread they've ever tasted, but maybe their favorite cookies of all time. I also use the royal icing recipe recommended. They turn out beautiful and delicious every time. I call these "my gingerbread cookies," but all props to Martha.

You might try adding 1-1.5 cup flour MORE and refrigerate overnight

I used the recipe from the MS Cookies book; but the dough is VERY soft and unmanageable. There is a discrepancy between the book and the online recipe. The book calls for 5.5 cups ap flour and 1.5 cups molasses. Does anyone have any suggestions to save the dough?!