Tie a gingerbread man (or woman!) cookie cutter to the outside of the jar with festive ribbon to make your jar gift extra special.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground allspice

Combine 2 cups of the flour with the baking soda and baking powder. In a separate bowl, mix the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour with the spices. Using a one-quart wide-mouth jar, layer the ingredients starting with the flour baking powder mixture then the brown sugar and finally the flour and spice mixture. Pack down each layer so it all fits!

Instructions

In large bowl, empty contents of jar, stirring together well. Add 1/2 cup margarine, 3/4 cup molasses and 1 egg. Continue stirring until completely blended. Cover bowl and place in the refrigerator for one hour.

Preheat oven to 350F. Sprinkle flour on counter and roll dough to 1/4" thicknes. Cut shapes into gingerbread men and women shapes. Place on cookie sheet and bake 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool before decorating.