Sumitted by Kathy Blocker, Lawrenceville.

Ingredients:

4 ½ cups all-purpose flour

4 tsp. ground ginger

2 tsp. baking soda

1 ½ tsp. ground cinnamon

¾ tsp. ground cloves

¼ cups shortening (Crisco)

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

½ cup molasses

Coarse sugar for rolling cookies before baking

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, stir together dry ingredients and set aside. In a large mixing blow, beat shortening for 30 seconds to soften. Add sugar and beat until well combined. Stir in eggs and molasses, and beat in as much of the flour mixture as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour by hand. Batter will be stiff.

Shape dough into balls and roll in the coarse sugar. Place 2 inches apart on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 11-13 minutes (depending on the size of cookies).