Dear Canada: A step back in time

INGREDIENTS:

• ¾ cup shortening
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup molasses
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar for decoration

DIRECTIONS:

* Make sure to get a grown-up's permission to use the stove!

Cream the shortening and the brown sugar.

Stir in the egg and molasses and mix well.

Combine the flour, baking soda, salt cloves, cinnamon and ginger.

Add the flour mixture to the shortening mixture and mix well.

Cover and chill dough for at least two to three hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease cookie sheets.

Roll dough into balls the size of large walnuts.

Roll balls in sugar and place them 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 10–12 minutes.

Let cool for 1 minute before transferring to a wire rack to continue cooling. Makes 3–4 dozen.