1/3 c. soft shortening
1 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 c. dark molasses
1/2 c. cold water
7 c. sifted flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda dissolved in 3 tbsp. cold water

Mix shortening, brown sugar, and molasses together thoroughly. Stir in cold water. Sift together rest of ingredients except soda, stirring that in last. Chill dough. Roll out very thick, about 1/2 inch. (I always use confectioner sugar for rolling out as flour toughens and sugar make more tender.)

Cut out with gingerbread boy or girl cutter and with spatula place on lightly greased cookie sheet. At this point, I have the children move their "gingerbread men's" arms and legs to waving or running positions, then I bake them 15-18 minutes at 350 degrees or until when touched lightly they leave no imprint. Do not leave them to harden on cookie sheet or they will break when removed. With white icing make outlines for collars, jackets, hats, shoes, etc. and decorate with cinnamon candies, raisins, etc.