Makes approx. 48 x 3 inch cookies

Ingredients

• ½ cup vegetable shortening
• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 ½ cups flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg

Directions

• In a medium bowl, cream together shortening, sugar and molasses until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and mix another minute.
• In a large bowl, sift together remaining ingredients. Fold in wet mixture and mix for one minute, until smooth.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350F.
• On a floured surface, roll out dough very thinly, between 1/8 and ¼ inch thick. Cut out desired shapes and space evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Bake for 8-9 minutes, rotating once halfway through. Let cool on a wire rack and decorate as desired.