1/4 c Molasses

1/2 c Shortening

3/4 c Dark-brown sugar

1 Egg

1 c Flour

1/2 ts Salt

1/2 ts Baking soda

------------------------------OPTIONAL SPICES------------------------------ 1/4 ts Ground ginger

1/4 ts Ground cloves

1/4 ts Cinnamon

1/4 ts Nutmeg

PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 350F. Mix the molasses, shortening, brown sugar and egg in a bowl, combining well. Mix the flour, salt and baking soda together, add to the first mixture and blend thoroughly. Arrange by teaspoonfuls on ungreased cookie sheets, about 1 inch apart, and bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until crisp and lightly browned. FOR SPICED MOLASSES COOKIES: Add ground ginger, ground cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the flour mixture.