i ended up making ginger cookies.
first, combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves in a medium bowl, stirring with a fork until you have a spice-colored flour.
in a separate (bigger) bowl, beat the shortening with an electric mixer on low speed until soft – about 30 seconds. you could also use butter or margarine or butter flavored shortening, i just had shortening on hand.
add the sugar gradually, beating as you go. for me, gradually was 3 batches. if you’re more patient, you can make that take longer. by the end, it should be fluffy, or at least not grainy.
add the egg and molasses and beat well. growing up, 