4 c. flour
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. molasses
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. anise oil

Sift flour once before measuring. Cream shortening, add sugar, sift soda, ginger, cinnamon and pepper with the flour. Add some dry ingredients to shortening. Mix water and molasses, alternate. Brush tops with water and bake. Frost or roll in powdered sugar. Recipe is 100 years old and came from Germany.