Howard writes, “After months of trying and discarding recipes from boo-koos of cookbooks, I have come to a simple conclusion, you can’t go back.

I have been trying to recapture the way Mom (Hitch) made Gingerbread Men. There are three important reasons why this is impossible. 

#1 Mom used hog lard, rendered from Dad’s red Duroc hogs. Long since been gone. 

#2 ‘Lasses’, as Mom called Molasses. Made by Mandy Goodin in an open box from cane juice, squeezed by an old mule going around and around. Can’t find them either.

#3 Taste Buds. After 60 or 70 years they change considerably. 

The recipe below isn’t all that bad. Pretty good me thinketh.”

This picture taken of Howard was shown to a new preacher by Dad Hitch and told him this was his eldest son. There was no report how the pastor reacted or how he treated the family thereafter!

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup molasses

1 egg

2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon ginger

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon cloves

1/2 cup boiling water

1/2 teaspoon salt

Cream shortening and sugar til light. Add molasses and egg. Beat well. Sift together flour, baking soda, and all the spices. Add together to creamed mixture, alternate with boiling water. Beat after each addition. When mixed well, cover and place in refrigerator for a couple hours.

Place dough on a floured surface and roll to ⅛ to ¼ inch thick. With gingerbread man cutter or design of your own, cut out men for the kids or use cookie cutter for cookies. Placed on an uncreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350º F. til lightly browned. 8 to 10 minutes. Cook for a couple of minutes, then remove to rack. Flavor is enhanced if stored a few days in a stove crock.

Desserts, 2004