I have written about Nana M and the Gingerbread Cookies before... for the background look H e r e 

Several weeks ago Nana M finally gave me her recipe for gingerbread cookies...   with the notation that this is a very old recipe.   This is also a recipe that will produce the BEST gingerbread cookies you will ever eat.  

Nana M's Gingerbread Cookies

1/4 C Shortening, Lard or Butter
1/2 C honey

Heat until fat is melted then cool to luke warm.  

Mix Together:
5 1/2 C Flour
3 teaspoons Baking soda
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon nutmeg
1 Teaspoon allspice
1 Teaspoon ginger
1 Teaspoon cloves

Cream together:
3 eggs
1C white sugar
1C dark brown sugar

Directions:   

Add cooled honey mixture to well creamed egg mixture.  Slowly add the flour mixture and blend into a smooth dough.  Cool 20 minutes if desired (but you don't have to cool it at all).

Roll out on floured surface (something between 1/4 and 3/8 of an inch thick when you roll it out) and cut with cookie cutters.  Bake on greased cookie sheets at 350* for 10 to 12 minutes.  Cool.   Frost or not as you prefer.   

(Trust me on this one... frosting is absolutely not necessary)