Cookies
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup fancy molasses
1 egg yolk
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Cashew nuts or jumbo peanuts
Round yellow gum drops
Dried currants
In bowl, beat together butter, sugar, molasses and egg yolk until smooth and creamy. In separate bowl, mix together flour, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and baking soda. Stir ( don't beat) about a quarter at a time into creamed mixture. Gather into a ball, cover and refrigerate for 30 min.
On floured surface, roll about 1/3 of the dough 1/8 in thick. Cut out owl shapes ( If using paper guide, cut around it with point of paring knife). Place cookies on greased baking sheets, leaving a 1/2 in space between them. repeat with remaining dough, rerolling scraps.
To make faces: Press a cashew into cookie for beak. Cut gum drops into thin circles, press a currant onto centre of each and press into cookies for eyes. Bake in 350 F oven for 8 to 12 min or until firm and golden brown. Let cool for 1 min on pan, then transfer to racks and let cool completely. Makes 10 -15 cookies, depending on size of cutter.