Authentic Molasses Cookies
by Charlie Burke
 
Ingredients:
1 cup molasses
½ pound butter
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup sugar
¼ cup hot water
4 cups flour
2 teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoon ginger
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon allspice
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions:
Heat the molasses to a boil. Remove from heat and add butter, stirring until melted.
Place the sugar in a deep bowl and add soda to the hot water; pour water into the molasses.
Pour the molasses mixture into the bowl of sugar and thoroughly mix.
Add spices, flour and salt and mix with molasses and sugar.
Pour into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper or waxed paper and refrigerate. 

Preheat oven to 325. Cut dough as thin as possible and bake on a non stick surface or a greased sheet for 15 minutes.
Cool on a rack as soon as done. They will be great for the holidays, and we're betting they'll be a family favorite.