1 1/4 c. shortening
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. water
10 c. sifted flour
1 tbsp. salt
1 tbsp. ginger
2 tsp. baking soda
2 c. molasses

Cream together sugar, shortening. Stir in molasses. Then soda and water. Sift dry ingredients; add to molasses mixture. Mix well. Chill 1 hour. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into 6 inch cookies.

Bake at 375 degrees until done. Cool and stack with layers of apple butter. Let set for several days to get moist. (Mom's old fashioned Christmas cake.)