1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. dark molasses
3 1/2 c. sifted all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 c. water (room temperature)
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. salt

Blend butter and brown sugar until creamy. Stir in molasses. Sift together flour, baking soda, cloves, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Stir it into the butter, brown sugar and molasses mixture. Add the water. Roll out dough on a floured board. Use ginger bread cookie cutters to make the shape.

If you want to decorate with silver candies or raisins, add them before baking. Bake about 10 minutes at 350 degrees on a greased cookie sheet. Makes 40 (5 inch) cookies.