Brown Sugar, Molasses, Nut Cookies (Christmas) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups dark brown sugar, packed
2 cups molasses
2 cups shortening or 2 cups lard, melted
4 eggs
1/4 cup ground aniseed
2 3/4 teaspoons baking soda, dissolved in
1/2 cup boiling water
3/4 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons cinnamon
2 1/2 teaspoons cloves
2 teaspoons allspice
8 cups flour
2 cups nuts, chopped
powdered sugar, to ice
decorative candies (optional)

Preparation

In a large bowl, cream together the sugar, shortening, molasses, and eggs until smooth.
Mix in all remaining ingredients, beating well.
Cover and refrigerate until firm enough to handle (2 1/2 hours to overnight).
Preheat oven to 375\u00b0F.
Roll out dough (small amounts at a time) on well-floured surface until 1/8-inch thick.
Cut with cookie cutters.
Bake until golden brown (10-15 minutes).
Dust with powdered sugar.
Decorate with colored candies.