3/4 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. molasses
1 egg
2 tsp. baking soda
2 c. flour, sifted
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon

Soften shortening in microwave. Add sugar, molasses and egg. Beat well. Sift together flour and spices, add to first mixture. Mix well. Chill. Form into 1 inch balls and roll in granulated sugar. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake at 375 degrees for 5-7 minutes (do not overbake - the tops should barely start to crack, these aren't supposed to be hard old gingersnaps).

And one tip from me: Make all the balls at once and place on a cookie sheet. Freeze. Then pour them into a ziploc bag, toss your sugar in, and shake and bake. I keep the bag of frozen dough balls in the freezer and only use what I need. It's so nice to be able to bake a batch of warm cookies any time you have the urge.

Labels: cookies, grandma's