Recipe: Denise's Gingerbread Cookies

Denise's Gingerbread Cookies
rec.food.recipes/George McTyre

This is one of my favorite cookie recipes. My sister in Dallas found it. It's easy and tastes great. Sometimes I add a dash of cayenne pepper to the spices, which is from another gingerbread cookie recipe that I have.

Combine the following in a saucepan:
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 tsp. vinegar

Bring to a boil. Stir. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Add:
1 egg, beaten and stir well.

Shift together:
3 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves

Add the mixture from the saucepan and combine. Chill 30-45 minutes, or overnight. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll dough out to 1/4 - 1/2-inch thickness and cut into desired shapes. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Cool on racks. Decorate with icing.

Icing:

Cream together:
1 (16 oz.) box powdered sugar
1/2 cup shortening

Add:
1/4 cup almost boiling water
1 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt

Beat well.