½ c Shortening
½ c Sugar
½ c Molasses
1 Egg, separated
2 c Flour
½ tsp Salt
½ tsp Baking soda
1 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp Cloves
1 tsp Ginger
1-1/2 tsp Cinnamon
½ tsp Nutmeg
Cream together shortening, sugar, and molasses. Add egg yolk; mix well. Sift together flour, salt, baking soda, powder, and spices. Stir in flour mix. Chill. Roll out a portion of dough ¼” thick on floured board or pastry cloth. Cut with cookie cutters and place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350˚ for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool. Decorate.
Frosting
Sift together 1-1/4 c confectioners sugar and 1/8 tsp cream of tartar. Add reserved egg white and ¼ tsp vanilla. Beat till frosting holds its shape. Cover with damp cloth until ready to use.
For years, I used this as a gingerbread man Christmas cookie recipe. Tommy really liked them.