1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup molasses
1 tsp soda, dissolved in 1/2 cup hot water
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Cream the butter, sugar, egg and molasses together. Stir in the soda water. Sift the dry ingredients together and stir them into the liquids.
Chill the dough. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart on a lightly greased baking sheet or parchment paper. Bake just until set — when lightly touched with a finger, no imprint should remain.
Bake 7 – 8 minutes at 400 degrees. Makes 4 dozen.
While slightly warm, frost with Cream Cheese Frosting, perhaps with a small amount of orange zest added for zing!
Adapted from an old Betty Crocker cookbook