Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar

¾ cup solid vegetable shortening (Crisco)

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 egg

¼ cup molasses

¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

Additional granulated, Demerara, or sparkling sugar for decorating

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F.

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together until the dough forms. Roll pieces of dough into 1″ balls. Roll the balls of dough in sugar, if desired.

Place 12 balls of dough on an ungreased rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes, or until the underside begins to color. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool, and store them in an airtight container.

Makes approximately 3 dozen cookies.