Old Fashioned Molasses Cookies

This recipe originally came from Mom although I don't remember her making it a lot. It may have been one of the cookies she made to take to market. I make these every Christmas. They are soft, puffy cookies with a nice molasses flavor and a bit of crunch from the walnuts.

1/2 cup shortening, or butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup dark molasses
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
3 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ginger
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup boiling water
1 cup walnuts, chopped

Cream shortening and sugar. Beat in egg. Blend in molasses and lemon juice. Add dry ingredients (the dough will be fairly stiff). Mix in boiling water. Add chopped walnuts. Chill dough.

Drop on greased cookie sheets and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake for 8 - 10 minutes at 350° F until the cookies have set and are no longer soft on top. Test by touching the tops of the cookies with your finger. If the cookies leave an imprint, bake a minute or two more. Another way you will know if they have not baked long enough is they will stick a bit to the cookie sheet, as well as the spatula, when you try to remove them. You don't want to overbake them, but if they don't set, they won't remain puffy and will collapse as they cool.

Yield: 4 dozen plus a few more cookies (a little over 3 dozen with my cookie scoop, next time about 4 dozen)