For Tobi . . .

Last year during the holidays I wrote a post about my favorite holiday cookie. I've already made four batches of "the ginger snaps" this month and they are gone. I think I'll make a few more before we turn the page from 2008 to 2009.

And now, as a small birthday gift to a spicy and snazzy friend/relative, I give the recipe for a spicy and snazzy cookie. Make some of these bad boys - and then thank me later.

Sister Benson's Ginger Cookies

1 1/2 C shortening
2 C sugar
1/2 C molasses
2 eggs
4 C flour
1/2 tsp salt
4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves

Cream shortening and sugar. Add molasses and eggs. Sift flour and dry ingredients, then combine with wet ingredients. Shape dough into 1 inch balls, roll in sugar and press lightly with bottom of drinking glass. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes on ungreased cookie sheet. Yields about 5-6 dozen.