1 c. sugar
1 c. shortening
1 c. molasses
1 tsp. baking soda (in molasses)
1 c. cold water
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. each ginger, cloves, allspice, and cinnamon
3 1/2 c. flour

ICING:

2 c. sifted powdered sugar
1/3 c. soft shortening
3 tbsp. cream (or milk)
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Bake in jelly roll pan or cookie sheets (very large batch). Frost with white butter icing. Mix all icing ingredients until smooth (you may need a little more cream or milk to thin).