1 1/2 cups molasses
1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
1/3 cup shortening (Crisco)
2/3 cup cold water
7 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. salt

Combine molasses, brown sugar, shortening and water. Add remaining ingredients to combine. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.

Roll dough 1/4-inch thick on a lightly floured board. Cut into gingerbread boy or girl shapes with floured cookie cutters.

Place shapes 1 1/2 to 2-inches apart on lightly greased cookie sheets and bake in a 350°F preheated oven. Cookies take from 8 to 15 minutes to bake, depending upon size.

Remove from cookie sheets and cool on wire racks. When thoroughly cooled, decorate with vanilla frosting.

Vanilla frosting:

4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
6 tbsp. cream

Beat together till smooth and add food coloring to tint to desired color or use plain.

Submitted by: CM