Soft Gingerbread Cookies

My daughter, Megan, has been making soft Gingerbread Cookies for years to give to neighbors and friends. This is her go-to recipe and it never disappoints. The family eagerly awaits her gingerbread making day! Decorate to your liking with icing and enjoy.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup butter flavor shortening
• 1 1 ⁄ 4 cups sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup molasses
• 1/3 cup hot water
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1 cup flour
• 1 ⁄ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 4 cups flour
• raisins (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place cloves in hot water; set aside.
2. Cream shortening and sugar.
3. Add egg and beat.
4. Add molasses, beat.
5. Remove cloves from water, discard cloves.
6. Add clove water, beat. *Dough will look “curdled”.
7. Add rest of ingredients, except the last 4 cups flour, and beat. Gradually beat in last 4 cups flour.
8. Chill dough.
9. Roll out to 1/2″ thick or slightly less.
10. Cut into shapes.
11. Decorate with raisins if desired.
12. Place carefully on ungreased cookie sheet.
13. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes. Do not over bake.

Recipe from recipes.com