Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/2  cup           sugar
     1/3  cup           shortening
   1                    egg
     1/2  cup           light molasses
     1/2  cup           water
   2      cups          all-purpose flour
   1      teaspoon      ground ginger
     1/2  teaspoon      salt
     1/2  teaspoon      baking soda
     1/2  teaspoon      ground nutmeg
     1/2  teaspoon      ground cloves
     1/2  teaspoon      ground cinnamon
                        ***VANILLA BUTTER FROSTING***
     1/4  cup           margarine or butter -- softened
   2      cups          confectioners' sugar
   1      tablespoon    milk -- (more if needed)
   1      teaspoon      pure vanilla extract

Preparation:

Makes 4 dozen cookies 1. Mix together sugar, shortening, egg, molasses and water; stir in remaining ingredients except frosting. 2. Cover; refrigerate 1 hour. 3. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet; bake in preheated 400 F. oven until almost no indentation remains when touched, about 8 minutes. 4. Immediately remove from cookie sheet; cool. 5. Frost with Vanilla Butter Frosting. Vanilla Butter Frosting 1. Mix together margarine and confectioners' sugar. 2. Beat in milk and vanilla until smooth and of spreading consistenc