THE Best Gingerbread Cookies EVER

This is a recipe I got from my Mother-in-law. LOVE LOVE LOVE these cookies. I love my cookies soft - especially my Gingerbread men - and this recipe makes them fabulously soft! Now, make sure you include the ground cardamom - I believe it is the secret to making these cookies so delicious! I'm not sure how easy it is to find - I got mine from my Mother-in-law, but it should not be too difficult. The recipe has a funny name - and upon doing a little research I have found that it is a popular Swedish cookie recipe. Anyway, here it is:

Old Fashioned Papparkakor

3 ½ cups flour
1 tsp. soda
1½ tsp. ginger
1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
¼ tsp. ground cardamom
½ cup butter
¾ cup sugar
1 unbeaten egg
¾ cup light molasses
2 tsp. grated orange rind

Sift together dry ingredients, cream butter and sugar, add unbeaten egg and molasses and orange rind; beat well. Stir in the dry ingredients gradually, mixing until blended. Cover; chill overnight. (Dough may be used in small amounts-will keep in refrigerator for one week.) Roll out on well-floured surface, to 1/8” thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutter. (This is a good recipe for gingerbread men.) Place on greased baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes at 375.