• Mix together the flour, baking soda, salt and spices. Set aside. Cream the sugar with the butter and shortening. Beat in the molasses, then add egg and beat well until thoroughly mixed. Gradually add the flour mixture to the molasses mixture and stir to make a dough.
• Chill dough for 1 ½ hours or until ready to bake.
• Shape dough into about 50 little balls. Arrange 2 ½ inches apart on parchment lined cookie sheets, press tops down slightly.
• Bake in upper third (I actually baked mine in the center) of a preheated 350 degree F oven for 10-14 minutes. Let cool for 2 minutes on cookie sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Icing

• Mix the sugar and butter together the best you can. Slowly stir in the milk and beat until smooth. Add vanilla, then add more milk little by little until you get a nice drizzling consistency.