Old Fashioned Molasses Cookies

By AnneS

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups sifted flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
• 1 1/2 cups molasses

Preparation

Step 1

1. Sift flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and salt onto waxed paper.

2. Combine water, shortening and butter or margarine in a medium sized saucepan. Heat just until fats are melted; pour into a large bowl. Stir in molasses.

3. Add flour mixture, a third at a time, blending well to make a stiff dough. Cover bowl; chill several hours, or until firm enough to roll.

4. Roll out dough 1/4 at a time, about 1/8" thick, on a lightly floured board. Cut out with a 2" cookie cutter. Place, 1" apart, on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Reroll and recut trimmings. Sprinkle lightly with sugar.

5. Bake in moderate oven, 350 degrees, 7-8 minutes, or until firm. Remove from cookie sheets; cool completely on wire racks. Store in covered container.