Gingerbread Cutouts

Ingredients:

• 4 1/2 cups Unsifted all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp Ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp Ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1 cup Vegetable shortening
• 3/4 cup Sugar
• 1 cup Light molasses
• 1 lg Egg

Directions:

1. Combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. In a separate bowl, thoroughly blend shortening and sugar.
2. Add molasses and egg and beat well.
3. Add the flour mixture and mix until a stiff dough forms. Shape dough into 3 equal balls; cover and set aside until ready to roll out.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Lightly grease and flour 2 cookie sheets.
5. Between 2 pieces of floured waxed paper, roll out one ball of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
6. Remove top piece of paper. Using cookie cutter, cut out as many shapes as possible and place about 1/2-inch apart on cookie sheets.
7. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until firm and golden brown.  Cool on wire racks.