Cry Babies I

1 cup shortening

2 eggs

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 cup brewed coffee

1 cup molasses

1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon ground cloves

4 ½ cups all-purpose flour

2 cups confectioners sugar

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

5 tablespoons water as needed

2 cups white sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Dissolve the baking soda in the coffee.

Cream the shortening with the white sugar. Beat in the eggs, coffee mixture, molasses, vinegar, 1/2 cup of the cocoa powder, spices, and flour. Dough should be thick and slightly sticky. Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto a greased cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cookies cool, then glaze.

To Make Glaze: Combine the confectioner s sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa, and enough water to achieve a desired spreading consistency. Beat until smooth.