Dissolve baking soda in the warm water in a small container and set aside. In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine molasses and ginger.

Then soften 1/2 cup of butter in the microwave and place in a medium mixing bowl. Add molasses/ginger mixture and baking soda/water to the butter and blend well. Add enough flour to make a soft dough (approximately 2 and 1/2 cups).

Refrigerate the soft dough for at least two hours or overnight. Then, on a floured surface, roll out dough to approximately 1/4 inch thick. Cut into rounds or shapes, as desired.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. When cool, spread icing over the cookies or dust with confectioner’s sugar. For an alternate recipe, roll out the dough and place on a silicone sheet. Dot with raisins and bake. Afterwards, drizzle an icing glaze over the warm cookies (1 cup confectioner’s sugar, 2 Tablespoons milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract).