Christmas Ginger Spice Cookies

Ingredients

• 6 cups flour
• 1 tbsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp ginger
• 1 tsp clove
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup Crisco
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup water
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions

1. Mix flour, soda, spices and salt.
2. Beat shortening, molasses, sugar, water, egg and vanilla until well blended.
3. Gradually beat in flour mixture.
4. Will be soft.
5. Divide into fourths.
6. Pat each ¼ into 1" thick round.
7. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 3 hours or up to 1 week.
8. Roll on lightly floured surface to ⅛" thick, cut with gingermen cutters and bake at 350°F for 10 – 12 minutes.
9. Cool slightly on cookie sheet, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
10. Decorate with royal icing.