Chewy Ginger Cookies

I figured this blog hadn't been posted on in a while so it's about to post something new. I was invited to a Cookie Party during the holidays which was fun and very helpful. Depending on how many people can depends on how many cookies you make. Example, say you invite 10 people to your party, everyone invited would make 12 dozen cookies. Now, you're thinking what I was thinking, "Wow! That's a lot of cookies!" But hear me out, you make a dozen cookies for each person (10 people plus you as the host) and then a dozen to share at the party, that way everyone gets to try your cookie before you go home. Then you switch cookies, that way you go home with 11 dozen cookies. That's still a lot of cookies but it takes out the work for Christmas cookie plates, you have a variety and you didn't have to cook all of them! My point, I picked up some good recipes from the party (you bring copies of your recipe to share), and here is my favorite!:

Chewy Ginger Cookies

2 cups flour
1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cloves
½ tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
¾ cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
¼ cup dark molasses
1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375°. Whisk first 7 ingredients together, set aside. Beat shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, molasses, and vanilla to shortening mixture and mix until just combined. Mix dry ingredients into wet, one cup at a time. Form dough into 1 inch balls and coat in sugar. Bake for 9-11 minutes. Golden and cracked is a good sign. Enjoy!