Posted by Tiffany 11/28/2001 8:39 am

1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups shortening
1 tablespoon salt
7 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups molasses
1/3 cup warm water
2 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Cream first five ingredients. Add remaining ingredients.

Chill about one hour or until dough is of a consistency that can be worked. Roll out dough to about 1/4-inch thick, then cut out into desired shapes. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes.

Let cookies cool and decorate with royal icing, candies, dried fruit, nuts, etc.

Makes two to three dozen cookies, depending on size of cookies.