Refrigerator Spice Cookies

                                                     Refrigerator Spice Cookies 
                                        (from The Fannie Farmer Baking Book)

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 Tbsp. water

1 1/2 cups flour

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. allspice

1/2 tsp. powdered ginger

1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

1/2 cup chopped dates (optional)


1.  Cream the shortening and sugar together, then add the egg and water, and beat until light and fluffy. 

2.  Stir and toss together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger. Add to the creamed mixture, and beat until the dough is completely mixed.

Stir in the nuts, or dates, or both...if you wish.

3.  Shape the dough into rolls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Flour your hands and the work surface if necessary to prevent the dough from sticking. Wrap in waxed paper, and chill until firm. 

4.   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease two cookie sheets. With a thin, sharp knife, slice the dough into rounds about 1/3 inch thick. Place about 1-inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets, and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly browned. Transfer to racks to cool.Makes about 25-30 cookies.