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1/3 cup shortening	1 tsp allspice
1 cup brown sugar	1 tsp cloves
1 1/2 cups molasses	1 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold water	1 tsp ginger
7 cups flour	1 tsp cinnamon

Mix together shortening, brown sugar, and molasses. Stir in cold water. Sift and stir in flour and spices. Stir in 2 tsp soda dissolved in 3 Tblsp cold water. Chill. Roll out thick (I do about 1/4 inch). Cut out with gingerbread men cookie cutters. (We often use snowmen and Raggedy Ann and Andy cutters). Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 15-18 minutes at 350 degrees. If you use smaller cookie cutters, bake them 12-15 minutes. Bake until when touched lightly with finger no imprint remains. Cool slightly before removing from pan. These freeze very well and will keep several months if no one knows where they are! Don't bake them too long; you want them to be a little soft to eat. From 1950 Betty Crocker book-- a favorite from my childhood.