Instructions: Makes 7 dozen. In a heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, margarine, vegetable shortening, and molasses. Heat until brown sugar is dissolved.

Dissolve the baking soda in the boiling water and stir into the molasses mixture. The mixture will bubble up. Remove from heat. Sift the flour and spices together and gradually add to the saucepan, stirring with a wooden spoon until well incorporated. Form the dough into a rectangle, wrap, and let set overnight. Do not refrigerate.

The next day, preheat the oven to 275 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a floured board, roll small pieces of dough as thin as possible. (Dough should be thin enough to see ones hand through it.) Cut with cookie cutter and set 1 to 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Bake for exactly 10 minutes and allow to cool on baking sheets.

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