1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup light molasses
4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Confectioners' sugar icing
Assorted candy for decorating (optional)

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg and molasses. Combine flour, baking soda, and spices. Stir into butter mixture to make a stiff dough. Divide dough in half; wrap and chill for several hours or overnight.

Roll small amount of dough out onto well greased and floured baking sheets. Cut with desired 4 inch cookie cutters. Remove scraps and reroll. Bake at 350 deg. for 8 to 10 minutes or just until set and lightly brown. Cool completely on wire racks. Decorate cookies with confectioners' sugar icing and assorted candies, if desired.