1 c. sugar
1 c. molasses
1 egg
3/4 c. shortening
1/2 tsp. salt
2 heaping tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 1/4 c. flour
2 rounded tsp. baking soda sifted in with dry ingredients

Cream shortening and sugar, add egg and beat well. Add molasses, flour and spices; mix well. Flour your hand and roll into balls the size of a large marble, roll in granulated sugar and place 1 1/2" apart on cookie sheet as they spread.

Optional: Place 1/2 almond or pecan in center of each cookie, bake in moderate oven, 350 degrees until a rich brown color (8 minutes or until done). Cool on brown paper.

These are wonderful, probably because spice amounts are generous. This is an old family recipe of my friend, Sally Casey and it makes lots of cookies.