1 c. vegetable shortening
1 c. sugar
1 c. molasses
4 c. flour
1 c. boiling water
1 tsp. baking soda
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. raisins

Cream shortening and sugar. Add dry ingredients; add baking soda dissolved in water and molasses. Add beaten eggs. Drop onto cookie sheets.

Bake at 350°F; larger cookies can take up to 15 minutes while average sized cookies will bake in 8-12 minutes. Cookies should still be somewhat soft in center.