1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. molasses
1 c. shortening
1 c. coffee (warm or cold)
1 c. sour milk
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 to 1 tsp. cloves
4 c. flour
Basic powdered sugar frosting (see below)
2 cookie sheets with 1/4 to 1/2 inch edges

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cream/blend together the shortening, sugar and molasses. Add eggs. Sift dry ingredients together. Add alternately with milk and coffee to make batter. Pour batter into well greased and floured cookie sheets. (Cookie sheet must have 1/4 to 1/2 inch pan edge.) Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes. Cool thoroughly. Frost with confectioner sugar and butter frosting:

FROSTING:

1 stick soft butter
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. (approximately) milk

Cut into snack size pieces.