1/2 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 c. molasses
4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. hot water
2 tsp. baking soda

Cream the shortening, add the sugar and cream well. Add the unbeaten egg and beat mixture well. Add molasses and beat again. Sift flour once before measuring. Sift flour, salt and spices together. Add alternately with the hot water in which the soda has been dissolved. Chill dough.

Drop by teaspoonfuls on oiled cookie sheet and bake. While slightly warm, may be covered with thin icing. Bake 8 to 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 5 dozen cookies.

ICING:

2 c. confectioners' sugar
1 tbsp. melted butter
3 or 4 tbsp. cream
1 tsp. vanilla

Blend ingredients together well, using enough cream to make the icing easy to spread. Spread over the cookies while they are slightly warm.