Preheat oven to 350F.
Cream together shortening, brown sugar, molasses and egg. Sift
together
remaining ingredients (except sugar) and stir into molasses mixture.
Form dough into 3 sizes of balls to create bear bodies-large balls
for
bodies, medium balls for heads and small balls for ears, arms
and legs.
Roll balls in sugar. Put figures together on a greased cookie
sheet,
allowing 2" between them Bake about 12 mins. until springy
to the touch.
Cool on sheet for 5 mins. and remove to wire rack to cool completely.
Source: Hagerstown Herald-Mail; Hagerstown, MD as posted to a cooking forum.