1/4 c  Molasses

    1/2 c  Shortening

    3/4 c  Dark-brown sugar

      1    Egg

      1 c  Flour

    1/2 ts Salt

    1/2 ts Baking soda

------------------------------OPTIONAL SPICES------------------------------
    1/4 ts Ground ginger

    1/4 ts Ground cloves

    1/4 ts Cinnamon

    1/4 ts Nutmeg

  PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 350F. Mix the molasses, shortening, brown sugar and egg
  in a bowl, combining well. Mix the flour, salt and baking soda together,
  add to the first mixture and blend thoroughly. Arrange by teaspoonfuls on
  ungreased cookie sheets, about 1 inch apart, and bake for 6 to 8 minutes or
  until crisp and lightly browned.
  FOR SPICED MOLASSES COOKIES: Add ground ginger, ground cloves, cinnamon,
  and nutmeg to the flour mixture.