Mix:
1/3 cup shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
1-1/2 cups black molasses (12 oz jar Grandma molasses)
Stir in 1/2 cup cold water
Add:
7 cups flower
1 tsp salt
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground gloves
1 tsp cinnamon
Add: 2 tsp baking soda dissolved in 3 tbsp cold water
Mix above ingredients thoroughly.
Chill the dough overnight or longer.
Roll out dough on floured board about 3/8″ thick.
Bake 350° on teflon baking sheets, 12-15 min. Do not overbake
Cool first, then decorate.