I. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

II. Cream the Butter and Sugars:

• In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer or beat by hand.

III. Add the Wet Ingredients:

• Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until well combined.

IV. Combine the Mixtures:

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

V. Chill the Dough:

• Divide the dough into two portions, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm. Chilling helps prevent spreading and makes the dough easier to roll out.

VI. Roll and Cut the Cookies:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out gingerbread men shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.

VII. Bake:

• Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to brown. The centers should be soft.

VIII. Cool and Decorate:

• Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, decorate with icing and sprinkles if desired.