Maple Syrup Cookies - A Sign of Spring!

It's April 2nd, I’m all ready for spring and we keep getting more snow! I need a sign that spring is heading our way, any sign. Oh, yes, Maple Syrup - the pure gold of trees. Tasting the sweet syrup always brings back great memories. Many don't know, but back in my youth I almost started a career in the maple syrup business. My friend’s family had a sugar shack and I was often over to help. Of course, it didn't take long for me to dump over a whole bucket of sap and get quickly put on "supervising" duties (Dang, those buckets were heavy). Sadly, my sap collecting days were over, but nothing could beat eating those warm soggy baked apples straight out of the syrup boiler. So in memory of those days gone bye, I baked up these Maple Syrup Cookies. Similar to Snickerdoodles, they have a nice sweet, cinnamon flavor. Enjoy!

Maple Syrup Cookies
1/4 cup Pure Maple Syrup
3/4 cup soft shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon

Measure the syrup in a 1 cup measuring cup. Add shortening until syrup comes to 1 cup line. Cream shortening and syrup with sugar. Add egg and beat until fluffy. Add all dry ingredients into creamed mixture. Blend together. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.