Gingerbread Men
Kathy Kuhns

1 cup melted shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
1 egg
5 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 1/2 teaspoons ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup boiling water
3 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla

Stir in shortening, sugar and molasses.  Beat in egg.  Sift in flour.  Dissolve salt into water and add cream of tartar, ginger, cinnamon and cloves to mixture.  Add in baking soda and vanilla.  Refrigerate dough for 3 to 4 hours or overnight.  Cut and place on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 400f for 8 to 10 minutes.  Decrease in time and oven temperature may be necessary with newer stoves.