Mix shortening, brown sugar, and molasses together.

Mix into that 1/2 cup cold water.

Separately, mix together flour, salt, allspice, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon, then stir this into the wet ingredients.

Combine the baking soda and remaining 3 tbsp cold water and integrate into the dough. Chill dough.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Roll dough out to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a 2.5 inch round cutter and place well apart on lightly greased baking sheet (or parchment).

Bake 15-18 minutes or until when lightly touched, no finger imprint remains.