Healthier Gingerbread Men

Healthier than the usual and completely scrumptious! I thought they would be hard (my husband requested hard ones for dunking in milk) but they turned out deliciously soft (my favorite). Maybe next time I'll just overcook a batch for him.... :)

1 1/2 c. all purpose flour

1 1/4 c. whole-wheat flour

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 to 1 Tbsp. ginger (depending on how strong you like it--I used a whole Tbsp and thought they were wonderful)

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. cloves

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. unsalted butter, softened

1/2 c. dark-brown sugar

1 large egg

1/2 c. molasses

1/2 batch sugar-free cream-cheese frosting

assorted dried fruit for decorating (opt.)

1. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg, then the molasses.

2. Add the flours, soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Stir the dry ingredients to combine, then mix into the wet ingredients.

3. Refrigerate the dough for a few hours or overnight.

4. Heat oven to 350. On a well-floured surface, roll half of the dough to 1/8-inch thickness (pretty thin). Cut out the gingerbread men. Re-roll scraps,; cut. Repeat until all the dough is used.

5. Bake at 350 for about 11 minutes. Transfer the cookies to racks to cool. Decorate with the frosting and dried fruit.