1/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Preheat the oven to 350° F.
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 one inch apart and bake 6-8 minutes or until crisp and lightly browned.
Spiced Molasses Cookies: Add 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg to the flour mixture.
Recipe courtesy of Fanny Farmer Cookbook.
Notes: I have tried making this with butter, but was unsuccessful.