Jane's Spicy Molasses Cut-Out Cookies

Jane used to make a lot of cut-outs at Christmas for the kids. This is one of the recipes she used.

4 1/2 cups unsifted all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon punpkin pie spice
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter (or margarine)
at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark molasses
1 egg
2 tablespoons vinegar

Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in extra bowl.

Beat butter and sugar, in large bowl, with mixer until smooth, 2 minutes. Beat in molasses, egg and vinegar until fluffy, 1 minute. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low, or by hand, until a stiff dough forms.

Divide dough in half. Flatten each into a 5 inch disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 2 hours or overnight. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before rolling.

Heat over to 350 degrees. Roll half of the dough on lightly floured surface to 3/8 inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters. Re-roll scraps; cut out shapes to use remaining dough.

Place cookies, 1 inch apart, on baking sheet. Repeat rolling and cutting with other half of dough.

Bake in 350 degree oven 12 to 15 minutes or until crisped around the edges. Remove to rack to cool. Decorate as desired with colored frostings.