Gingerbread is a classic holiday flavor, holding flavors of the past. This recipe has been passed down for generations in my family, and I hope it becomes a staple in yours.
Place lard in a large pot. Use real lard; it’s all-natural and makes these cookies taste amazing! Add molasses and sugar. Stir together then boil. After dissolved, let the mixture cool completely.
In a large mixer, combine cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, eggs, salt, vanilla, and baking soda. Also add flour.
Add the lard, molasses, and sugar mixture to the mixer and combine until thick. Aim for the dough to be stiff and dense.
This dough may be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator until used. When ready to make the cookies, start with a floured surface. Roll the dough out to the desired thickness. The dough will not rise much in the oven, so roll it to at least a ¼-inch thickness. To make the shape of the cookie, use something festive, such as a snowflake cookie cutter! The best part of cookie making is the embellishments you add. Just like my grandma in years past, I always use dragees. You can add anything you want to the top of the cookies: just be creative! By adding these elements before baking, the embellishments will adhere better to the cookie.