Amount
Ingredient
Preparation



1/2
cup
butter

or margarine



1/2
cup
shortening





1 1/2
cup
brown sugar

firmly packed



2
cups
molasses





2
tablespoons
light cream

or half-and-half



5
cups
flour

sifted



1
tablespoon
cinnamon

ground



1 1/2
teaspoon
ginger

ground



1/2
teaspoon
cloves

ground

 Cream together butter and shortening; gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses; blend in cream. Sift together flour, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves; stir into creamed mixture. Store in covered bowl in refrigerator overnight.

Roll dough thin, using floured pastry cloth on board and rolling pin. Cut in christmas shapes. Place 1 to 1 1/2 inches apart on greased baking sheets.

Bake in 35 oven 1 to 12 minutes. Remove from baking sheets and cool on racks