1/3 c  Molasses
   1/4 c  Shortening
     2 tb Sugar, brown
 1 1/4 c  Flour
   1/2 ts Salt
   1/4 ts Baking soda
   1/4 ts Baking powder
   1/4 ts Cinnamon, ground
   1/4 ts Ginger, ground
   1/4 ts Cloves, ground
     1 ds Nutmeg
     1 ds Allspice
EASY CREAMY ICING
     1 c  Sugar, confectioners
   1/4 ts Salt
   1/2 ts Vanilla
 1 1/2 tb Cream, light
 Mix thoroughly the molasses, shortening, and sugar. Blend in the
 remaining ingredients except the icing. Cover. Chill for at least
 four hours.
 Heat the oven to 375 F.  Roll the dough to 1/8-inch thickness, or, if
 desired, paper-thin on a lightly floured cloth-covered board. Cut
 into the desired shapes. Place about 1/2 inch apart on an ungreased
 baking sheet. Bake for eight minutes or until set.
 Remove from the baking sheet immediately; cool.  Frost with Easy
 Creamy Icing.
 EASY CREAMY ICING:  Mix all of the ingredients together until smooth
 and of spreading consistency. Tint with food color if desired.
 Makes about 3 dozen 2-inch cookies (about 5 dozen if rolled
 paper-thin).
                                 [Betty Crocker’s Cookbook]
                
                 Yields       
                36 Cookies                
