1 c. brown sugar
1 c. butter
1 c. thick dark molasses
2 eggs
6 c. flour (approximately)
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. each: cloves, cinnamon, allspice
1/2 tsp. salt if desired

Mix 4 cups of flour with other dry ingredients and set aside. With a mixer; beat the brown sugar, molasses, butter and eggs until creamy. Blend in the dry ingredients. Add flour to make a stiff dough.