1/2 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 c. molasses
4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda dissolved in 1 c. hot water

Cream shortening and sugar. Add egg and molasses, beat well. Sift flour and combine all dry ingredients. Mix together. Add baking soda and hot water mixture; mix well. Drop by teaspoonful onto cookie sheet. Bake. Frost after cookies have been cooled. For frosting: 2 cups confectioner's sugar, 2 tablespoons melted butter and 2 tablespoons milk. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.