1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. shortening
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 c. molasses
1/2 c. boiling
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3 c. flour
1/2 c. raisins (optional)

(Mix by hand). Cream butter and sugar. Add beaten egg and cinnamon and salt. Mix molasses with boiling water in which baking soda has been dissolved. (Measure molasses and add this to the creamed mixture and use this same cup for the boiling water, etc.) Add flour last to the above mixture and mix until it is fairly stiff or firm when dropped by teaspoon onto a greased cookie sheet. (Do not use too much flour or will be dry).

Raisins, when added, should be added to flour before that is put into wet mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool on wire rack. These cookies always accompanied our kids when they went to college. Cookies pack and travel well, also.