Gingerbread Cookies on a Stick

Instructions

1. In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter until smooth.
2. Add the sugar and mix until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs 1 at a time until incorporated.
4. Add the molasses and vanilla and mix.
5. Sift together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves, and salt.
6. Working in batches, and mixing after each addition just until combined, add the flour mixture to the butter-sugar mixture.
7. Shape the dough into a thick disk, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours.
8. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease 2 cookie sheets.
9. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to thickness of wooden dowels, cut out houses using cookie cutter, carefully slice dough with knife in the center of the bottom of house, gently insert wooden dowel, place on cookie sheet. (I could only cook 3 at a time).
10. Bake 18-20 minutes depending on size of your houses, edges should be lightly browned.
11. Repeat until you reach desired amount or dough is used.
12. Cool on cooling rack.
13. Make Royal Icing and decorate.
14. Enjoy!