Gingerbread Cookies

2/3 cup shortening 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 1 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground cloves 2 tsp ground ginger pinch salt 3/4 cup molasses 1 egg 3 cups flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda

Cream together first 6 ingredients.  Add egg and mix.   Add molasses and mix again. 

Mix together flour, baking powder and baking soda in a separate bowl.  Sift.  Add to the creamed mixture and stir until well blended.  Chill 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375 F.  Roll out dough 1/4 at a time to 1/8" thickness or slightly thicker on a lightly floured board.  Cut with a cookie cutter and transfer to a greased (or non stick) cookie sheet. 

Repeat with remaining dough.  Before baking, decorate with raisins as you like.

Place in oven for 8 - 10 minutes.

Cool on a wire rack

Decorate with icing, m&m's, chocolate chips or any other items you wish.

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