Preparation:
Combine the butter and brown or granulated sugar, blend until creamy beat in molasses, until well incorporated sift flour again with baking soda, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and salt add one-third dry mixture to the mixer moisten with 1/4 cup water and beat to mix well add another third dry mixture and additional water as necessary beat to mix well add remaining dry ingredients and additional water as necessary to make a stiff but pliable dough rollout mixture onto a lightly floured board cutout into desired shapes place onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet bake @ 350 degrees for 8 minutes cool on a wire rack combine powdered sugar with a few drops water-mix well color as desired spread onto cooled cookies as an icing or, dot on cooled cookies with a toothpick for eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, etc serve at room temperature |