What's Baking in Your Oven?

This last week these were in ours....they are the very best Ginger Cookies EVER! These are delicious! They also keep very nicely...no stale cookies after a few days. For that reason, they are a great cookie to give as a gift. We've made these many times and they are so yummy. I hope you enjoy!

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. baking soda
1 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. groung cloves
Dash of red pepper (optional)
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup molasses
3/4 cup sugar

1. Stir together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, red pepper (if desired) and salt.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat shortening with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the 2 cups of sugar and beat until combined. Beat in eggs, vanilla and molasses until combined. Beat in as much flour mixture as you can with the mixer and then stir in any remaining flour.

3. Shape dough into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar.

4. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8-9 minutes until tops are puffed and lightly browned. Be careful not to overbake.

5. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute and then transfer to wire rack and let cool.

Yields: 9-10 dozen

Since you couldn't have missed the condition of my pans in the picture, what's been baking on your old and trusty and almost rusty baking sheets? =)