Instructions: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of the sugar with the melted shortening, flour, molasses, egg, baking soda, cloves, ginger, cinnamon and salt. Mix until well combined. Although you can form cookies at this point, the dough will be easier to handle if you cover and chill it for about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees; lightly grease a cookie sheet. Using your hands, form balls of dough about the size of a walnut. Place the remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a large shallow dish. Roll the balls in the sugar to coat completely. Place on the prepared cookie sheet, about 2 1/2 inches apart.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies spread and are lightly browned on the bottom. Cool cookies on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.

Yield: About 6 dozen cookies.

Cooking: Food from North Americas Bravest" by R.G. Adams (Penguin).

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