Gingerbread men (or bears)

Aaron made gingerbread men with the boys on Sunday. We couldn't find the right cookie cutter (although I found it yesterday morning - oops), so they opted for gingerbread bears. They were so yummy! This is straight from the Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book, with one exception. We ran out of molasses, so he substituted corn syrup for half of it.

1/2 c. shortening
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 c. molasses
1 egg
1 Tbsp vinegar
2 1/2 c. flour

In a mixing bowl beat shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves. Beat till combined, scraping bowl. Beat in the molasses, egg, and vinegar till combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in remaining flour. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill for 3 hours or till easy to handle (Aaron waiting an hour, I think).
Grease a cookie sheet, set aside. On a lightly floured surface roll half of dough at a time to 1/8 inch thick. Using a 2 1/2 inch cookie cutter cut into desired shapes. Place 1 inch apart on the prepared cookie sheet.
Bake in a 375 degree oven for 5-6 minutes or till edges are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet 1 minute. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.

* for larger cutouts (4 1/2 - 6 inch) roll dough to 1/4 inch thick and bake 6 -8 minutes.