Molasses Cookies

3/4 cup Crisco shortening

1 cup sugar plus more for coating before baking

1 egg

1/3 cup molasses

2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking soda 

1/2 teaspoon ground clove

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream sugar into shortening, one tablespoon at a time.  Add egg and beat until fluffy.  Add molasses, Shift flour, salt, baking soda, and spices (clove, ginger, cinnamon), Add dry ingredients into the shortening mixture 1/2 cup at a time. The batter will become very thick.

Form into small balls about 1/2 inch in diameter.  Roll in sugar.  Place on greased baking sheet.  No need to flatten the balls.  Bake until cookies are puffy and the tops just begin to crack, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.  Let cookies sit on the baking sheet a few minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.  

Makes approximately 60 cookies.