1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup dark molasses
1/2 cup water
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ginger
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
Sugar

Mix the 1 cup sugar, shortening, molasses and water in a large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients except sugar. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Roll dough 1/4 inch thick on well-floured cloth-covered board and cut into 3-inch circles. Sprinkle with sugar. Place about 1 1/2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake until almost no indentation remains when touched, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet. Cool completely.