Ingredients
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2-1/4 cups sifted flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger

Directions
Mix thoroughly the shortening, brown sugar, egg and molasses. Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cloves, cinnamon and ginger then stir into the molasses mixture. Chill the dough (will keep several days in refrigerator). Roll into balls about 1 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Dip tops in sugar and place sugared side up on a greased cookie sheet, about 3 inches apart. Sprinkle each cookie with 2 or 3 drops of water (will produce a crackled surface).

Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Makes 4 dozen cookies.