½ c butter, softened

½ c sugar

1 egg yolk

1 c unbleached white flour

1 c whole wheat flour

½ tsp salt

½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

1 tsp ginger

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Items for decorating

Cream together butter and sugar; stir in molasses and egg yolk. In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Stir into butter mixture until smooth; cover and chill for an hour or more. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface, ¼ inch thick. Cut into shapes; for nicer looking cookies, brush flour off with a pastry brush. You may add items for facial features and buttons, such as raisins or nuts, prior to baking. Place figures 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake @ 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes and cool on wire racks. Cool completely before icing or decorating further.

WAU NC