Old Fashion Soft Molasses Cookies

• 1 c. sugar
• 1 c. shortening or lard
• 1 c. molasses
• 1 c. hot water, not boiling
• 1 egg
• 4 1/2 c. flour
• 2 level tsp. baking soda
• 1 level tsp. salt
• 1 lg. tsp. cinnamon
• 1 level tsp. ginger
• pinch of cloves

1. Stir baking soda into hot water until dissolved; add molasses.
2. Cream shortening with sugar until light; beat in egg. Stir together flour, salt and spices.
3. Add 1/2 of the dry ingredients (flour), the molasses mixture, then the remaining flour (dry) mixture.
4. Mix only until combined. Chill for 1 hour.
5. Roll out and cut into shapes on a lightly floured board, using cutters dipped in flour or cocoa to prevent sticking.
6. Transfer to greased cookie sheets and bake in a preheated 350u0b0F oven for 10-15 minutes (depends upon size of cookies), or until done.
7. Cool on wire racks.

sugar, shortening, molasses, hot water, egg, flour, level tsp, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/old-fashion-soft-molasses-cookies-50130951 (may not work)