• Using a mixer, cream the sugar and butter together. Add the eggs and molasses mixing well. Add the baking soda, salt, and spices and mix. Slowly add the flour mixing well. The dough will seem dry and crumbly. Finish mixing in the flour with a big spoon and then use your hands to form the dough into a ball.
• Remove the dough from the bowl and wrap in plastic wrap; place in the refrigerator to chill for about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• When ready to bake, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes, until pliable. Take about a cup of dough at a time and roll out on a floured surface until about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out with gingerbread boy and girl cookie cutters. Transfer the cookies to cookie sheets.
• Bake for 10 minutes or until just beginning to brown at the edges. Transfer to wire racks or parchment paper to cool.

Icing:

• To make the icing, combine the powdered sugar and milk and mix until smooth. Divide the mixture into thirds; leave one-third white, and color one-third green and the final third red.
• Decorate piping eyes, mouths, buttons, and bow ties. Or make it all white and decorate with colored sugar and red hot candy.