Beat, in a large bowl, until light and fluffy:
3/4 c. shortening
1c. packed brown sugar
Beat in until smooth:
1 egg
1/4 c. fancy molasses
1 tsp. vanilla
Whisk together in a separate bowl:
2c. flour
2 tsp. each baking soda and ground ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp each of ground allspice and cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
Stir flour mixture into wet ingredients in 2 additions.
Heat oven to 350F.
Scoop by Tbsp and roll into balls. Roll balls into granulated sugar until all sides are coated.
Place 2″ apart on parchment lined baking sheets and bake for 12 minutes or flattened, tops cracked and bottoms browned. Let them cool on racks.
To boost the ginger flavour, add 2 Tbsp finely chopped crystallized ginger.