Name: Gingerbread Men
Prep time: 3 h
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 5 h
Yield: 13 dozen cookies
Ingredients: 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 cup hot water; 2 cups molasses (not blackstrap); 11 cups all-purpose flour; 3 tablespoons ground ginger; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice; 8 pounds of powdered sugar; 24 tablespoons of meringue powder; 48 tablespoons of warm water; food coloring gels in desired colors (optional); festive sprinkles