Joe Froggers

One of my Mothers recipes.

1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
1 tbsp salt
1 cup water
2 tsp baking soda
2 cups molasses
7 cups flour
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp allspice

Cream shortening and sugar until light and creamy. Combine salt, water, baking soda & molasses. Sift flour with spices and add alternately with liquid to creamed shortening. Stir well between additions. Dough should be sticky. Chill 3-4 hours (dough can be kept covered in fridge for up to a week).

Preheat oven to 375. Flour the counter and rolling pin liberally, as well as anything else that will come in contact with the dough. Dough is very sticky. On a floured surface roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a large cookie cutter. These make great gingerbread men but also do well as a circular cookie.

Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 10-12 mins or until edges are done. Let cool on a pan for 1 minute, then remove to cooling rack.

Cookies will keep well in the freezer for a couple of months. If storing at room temperature, keep a slice of bread with them to keep them moist.