Great-Grandma's Gingerbread Cookies

Great-Grandma's Gingerbread Cookies
Yield: 36 Servings
1/2 C Vegetable shortening
1 C Sugar
3 Eggs
1/2 C Cold water
2 t Baking soda
1 C Sorghum (or molasses)
All-purpose flour (5-6 cups)
1 T cinnamon,Ground
1/2 T cloves,Ground
1 T Ginger
1/2 T Salt

1. Cream shortening and sugar in mixing bowl, beat in eggs, one at a
time. Mix water and baking soda in small bowl until dissolved. Add
baking soda mixture and sorghum to butter mixture. Sift 5 1/2 cups of
the flour, the spices and salt together. Blend into dough. Divide dough
into 4 balls. Wrap in plastic wrap. Flatten and refrigerate overnight.
2. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll 1 portion of dough out at a time on
lightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes. Bake on a greased
cookie sheet until puffed, 10 to 12 minutes. Do not overbake.
3. When cool, decorate with buttercream frosting and/or candies as
desired. Sorghum gives these cookies a special flavor, but molasses can
be used as a substitute.