These are soft and puffy molasses cookies. Perfect for gingerbread boys!

1/3 cup soft shortening
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 cups dark molasses
2/3 cup cold water
6 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix thoroughly the shortening, brown sugar and molasses; stir in water. Sift together remaining ingredients and stir in. Chill dough.

Roll dough out very thick (1/2 inch). Cut with 2 1/2-inch round cutter. Place far apart on lightly greased baking sheet. You may sprinkle the tops with sugar before you bake them. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes or until no imprint remains when touched lightly with finger.

Gingerbread Boys
Follow recipe for dough, except mix in 1 more cup of flour. Chill dough. Roll out thick. Cut cookies out with a gingerbread boy cookie cutter. Bake. Pipe Frosting as desired.

Yields 1 dozen.

Frosting
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 teaspoons milk
Paste food coloring

Combine first 4 ingredients. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer 1 minute or until of piping consistency. Stir in food coloring as desired.

Yields 1 cup.