Molasses Cookies II

Ingredients

• 1 cup molasses
• 1 tablespoon ginger
• ½ cup shortening, butter and lard mixed
• 1 tablespoon soda
• 2½ cups bread flour
• 2 tablespoons warm milk
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. First heat molasses to boiling-point, add shortening, ginger, soda dissolved in warm milk, salt, and flour.
2. Toss one-fourth of mixture on a floured board and roll as thinly as possible; shape with a small round cutter, first dipped in flour.
3. Place near together on a buttered sheet and bake in a moderate oven.
4. Gather up the trimmings and roll with another portion of dough.
5. During rolling, the bowl containing mixture should be kept in a cool place, or it will be necessary to add more flour to dough, which makes cookies hard rather than crisp and short.