3/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg (2 may be used)
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
4 Tblsp molasses

Mix all ingredients together until well blended. Form the dough into balls the size of a walnut, 1 1/2 inch diameter, and roll in sugar. The dough should be very stiff when rolled into balls. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake in an oven at about 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.