John'S Roll-Out Molasses Cookies

• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1 1/2 teaspoons shortening
• 3/4 cup dark molasses
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon clove
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cold water

1. Mix together shortening, molasses and brown sugar. Stir in 1/4 cup cold water.
2. Mix together the flour, salt and spices. Add to molasses mixture.
3. Dissolve soda in 1.5 teaspoons cold water. Stir it into the above mixture.
4. Gather up dough into a ball; on waxed paper, pat into a disk. Wrap up. Chill for at least an hour.
5. Roll out between 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch thick. I thought 1/2-inch was a bit too thick, but it's up to you. Cut into shapes, specifically gingerbread men or bears. Gather up scraps, pat into a ball, reroll and cut into shapes, etc., until you have used most of your dough.
6. On lightly greased or sprayed cookie sheets, bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes.
7. These swell a little during cooking, so be sure to leave some space between them on the cookie sheets. Also, they taste better the day after baking when the spices have had a chance to meld with each other.

shortening, shortening, dark molasses, brown sugar, cold water, flour, salt, allspice, ginger, clove, cinnamon, baking soda, cold water

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/johns-roll-out-molasses-cookies-202039 (may not work)