Place the butter and molasses in a saucepan and heat until butter is melted.
Mix sugar and spices, salt and soda together and then add to the molasses and butter. Stir well. Add the flour gradually, mixing well after each addition.
Refrigerate and then set out the day you want to bake them. Let the dough come to room temperature.
Preheat the cookie sheet and spray with butter flavored cooking spray. Make balls and press them onto the warm baking sheet. Pat down with a fork until desired thickness. Or you can roll them and cut with cookie cutter.
Bake 6-7 minutes at 350 degrees F. I use an insulated cookie sheet so baking time can vary. Remove with spatula and transfer to cooling rack.
Source: This recipe is from a Moravian cookbook my co-worker had. I have been baking them for about 20 years.
By littergitter from NC