Ingredients

• 1/2 cup melted and strained smoked bacon fat
• 1 cup sugar (plus extra for rolling dough balls)
• 4 tbs dark molasses
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsps baking soda
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper (or more if you like black pepper!)

Directions
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2 Using an electric mixer, cream together strained smoked bacon fat and sugar. Beat in molasses and egg. Add remaining ingredients and combine thoroughly.

3 Shape dough into walnut-size balls, roll in sugar, and flatten with the bottom of a drinking glass and place on ungreased baking sheets.

4 Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cookies are golden brown and cracked on top.

5 Cool on wire racks.

Makes 2 dozen cookies.