Chewy Triple Ginger Cookies

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons powdered ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup chopped crystallized ginger
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• white sugar (optional) or powdered sugar, for rolling (optional)

1. heat oven to 350
2. combine flour, powdered ginger, soda, cinnamon, cloves, salt and cayenne if using. set aside.
3. cream brown sugar, shortening and butter until fluffy.
4. add eggs molasses and beat until blended.
5. add flour mixture just until blended.
6. gently stir in crystalized ginger and fresh ginger.
7. cover and refrigerate dough for 1 hour.
8. shape dough in 1 inch balls and roll in white sugar or powdered sugar -- or nothing and place on a baking sheet. may flatten SLIGHTLY not too much or they loose thier chewiness, or not at all.
9. bake 8-10 minute cookies will be soft. check at 8 min.DO NOT OVERBAKE.

flour, powdered ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, baking soda, salt, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, shortening, butter, egg, molasses, ginger, ginger, white sugar

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/chewy-triple-ginger-cookies-147912 (may not work)