1 c. butter
2/3 c. brown sugar
2/3 c. molasses
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 egg, beaten
4 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cloves

In a saucepan combine butter, sugar and molasses. Heat over medium heat until butter and sugar melts. Stir in vanilla. After mixture has cooled at least 5 minutes, add egg and mix well. Sift together the dry ingredients and add to the liquid mixture, mixing well by hand.

Dough will be thick. Divide in half and put in plastic bags. Let dough chill for 2 hours or overnight. Cut out with cookie cutters. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes (no longer than 10 minutes).