1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1  egg (unbeaten)
2 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons whole anise
1 tablespoon ground coriander seed
1 scant teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 tablespoons hot water
6 tablespoons strong black coffee

3 1/2 tablespoons sherry
2 cups confectioner's sugar

Cream together shortening, sugar, molasses, and egg. Sift flour, spices, and salt together. Add to the shortening mixture. Dissolve soda in hot water and set aside. Add coffee to flour-spice mixture. Beat in soda. Mix well, drop by spoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake in a 350 degree oven approximately 15 minutes. Do not overbake as cookies should stay soft.

Sherry Frosting: Mix together sherry and confectioner's sugar and spread over cookies. Decorate with colored sugars, halves of cherries, bits of angelica.