3/4 c. solid vegetable shortening
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. light unsulfured molasses
1 egg
2 c. sifted all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. salt
Pinch of ground nutmeg
Additional sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter heavy large cookie sheet. Melt shortening in heavy small saucepan over low heat. Pour into large bowl and let stand until cool but not set. Mix in 1 cup sugar, molasses, and egg. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, salt, and nutmeg in small bowl. Stir into shortening mixture. Cover and refrigerate dough for 10 minutes. Shape dough into inch diameter balls. Roll each in sugar, coating completely. Place on prepared cookie sheets spacing 2 inches apart. Bake until cookies are just barely set (surface may crack), about 8 minutes. Transfer cookies to rack and cool completely. Store in airtight container.