Molasses Sugar Cookies

Combine melted shortening, 2 cups sugar and molasses; add eggs. Stir together remaining ingredients (except remaining sugar), then gradually blend into the molasses mixture. Chill in the refrigerator.

Scoop out dough using #40 cookie scoop or roll into 1″ balls. Roll in remaining sugar and place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 11 to 12 minutes. DO NOT OVERBAKE. They should still be puffed and look a little underdone when you take them out; they finish cooking as they cool.

Let stand on the baking sheet for a minute, then remove to a wire rack to finish cooling. Makes 4 1/2 dozen cookies.

Note: You can make the dough up a day or two ahead of time and then scoop and bake later.