Ingredients

3/4 cup shortening

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup molasses

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp cinnamon (preferably freshly grated, which makes the world of difference)

1 tsp cloves

Additional granulated sugar

Preparation

  1. In a large bowl, cream together shortening and sugar.
  2. Beat in egg and molasses.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, soda, salt and spices, and blend into creamed mixture
  4. Shape into small balls and roll in sugar.
  5. Place the balls 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
  6. Bake in 350 degree oven for no more than 8 minutes, until JUST set. (They are going to be soft and their tops just slightly cracked at this point, but don’t worry - they harden quickly. Removing them at the right time will ensure the perfect chewiness. Baking them for too long will produce an equally delicious, but rather crispy cookie.) Yield: about 30 cookies