Instructions: Cookies: Mix flour, soda, spices and salt. Beat shortening, molasses, sugar, water, egg and vanilla until well blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Will be soft. Divide into fourths. Pat each 1/4 into 1" thick round. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 3 hours or up to 1 week.

Roll on lightly floured surface to 1/8" thick, cut with gingermen cutters and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Cool slightly on cookie sheet, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Decorate with Royal Icing: In large bowl, mix all ingredients until stiff. Color and use to decorate cookies.

GREAT RECIPE! Makes a lot of cookies. Dough is easy to handle and can be made ahead. DEBBIE CARLSON (PHHW01A)

These are more of a holiday cookie but you could cut them into any variety of shapes to fit the seasons and frost them. It makes a big batch of cookies that are easy to handle. The dough can be made ahead of time and baked at your convenience.

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.