COOKIES:

2 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ginger
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. molasses
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 c. hot water
1/2 c. sugar

ICING:

1 c. sifted powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. heavy cream

Sift flour, salt and ginger; set aside. Melt butter. Mix in sugar first and molasses 2nd. Set aside.

Dissolve soda in hot water. Add dry mix, to the molasses mix alternately with soda water. Beginning and ending with dry mix. Cover and chill dough 2 to 3 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take small portions and knead until pliable and roll-out, using small amount of flour to cut stickiness. Put on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes.

Icing: Mix all but cream. Add cream until smooth. Color with drops of food coloring.

Hint: Be inventive, try different cookie cutters. I use cats, birds and tree cutters.