OLD FASHIONED MOLASSES COOKIES WITH SHORTENING RECIPES

Steps:

• Combine butter, brown sugar, shortening, molasses and egg in bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt; beat at low speed until well mixed.
• Divide dough in half; wrap each half in plastic food wrap. Refrigerate 1-2 hours or until firm.
• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Working with one-half of dough at a time, shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Roll balls in sugar. Place, 2 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten balls to 2 1/2-inch diameter with glass dipped in sugar. Bake 8-11 minutes or until set.

Steps:

• In large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, the shortening, molasses and eggs until well blended. In small bowl, dissolve baking soda in water; stir into molasses mixture. Stir in remaining cookie ingredients until well blended. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease cookie sheet. On floured surface, roll dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut with floured 2 3/4-inch round cutter (or cut with clean food can with both ends removed, such as rectangular-shaped pork luncheon meat can). Place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In 2-quart saucepan, sprinkle gelatin on cold water to soften; stir in 1 cup granulated sugar. Heat to a rolling boil; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes. In large bowl, place powdered sugar and hot gelatin mixture. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed about 2 minutes or until foamy. Add vanilla, baking powder and salt; beat on high speed 12 to 15 minutes or until soft peaks form. Frost bottoms of cookies with frosting. Let stand until frosting is dry, 2 to 3 hours, before storing.