This is one of Tim’s Mom’s recipes.  We found it while going through her recipes and made them for the first time in 2001.  They’re GREAT – and definitely now part of the annual collection! As time was becoming a factor, we just powdered sugared them instead of decorating.  They were excellent!

• 2 sticks butter
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• 1/2 tsp cloves
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 4 cups flour
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla

Cream butter and sugars.  Add next 8 ingredients.  Mix well.  Beat in 2 eggs and vanilla.  Add flour gradually until all mixed in.

Refrigerate dough several hours or overnight.  Roll out dough on lightly floured board.  Cut into shapes.  Bake on ungreased cookie sheets at 400 until lightly browned.

Cool completely and frost and decorate.