Molasses Cutouts

• 2/3 cup shortening
• 1-1/4 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• Optional decorations: confectioners' sugar icing, colored sugar, sprinkles and nonpareils

1. In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, buttermilk and molasses. In another bowl, whisk flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, ginger and cloves; gradually beat into creamed mixture.
2. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm enough to roll.
3. Preheat oven to 375u0b0. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 3-in. cookie cutter. Place 2 in. apart on greased
4. .
5. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Decorate as desired.
6. Freeze undecorated cookies in freezer containers. To use, thaw in covered containers and decorate as desired.

shortening, sugar, eggs, buttermilk, molasses, flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, ground ginger, ground cloves, sugar icing

Taken from www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/molasses-cutouts/ (may not work)