Preheat oven to 350°F.

Pour cinnamon sugar into a small bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl, sift flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until blende and sift mixture into a second large bowl.

Wipe out the first large bowl and add shortening or butter. Beat with an electric mixer until creamy. Slowly add in granulated sugar. Add egg and molasses, continue to mix until mixture is light and fluffy.

Add 1/3 of the flour mixture into the shortening, stir to mix thoroughly. Add the remainder of the flour mixture and continue blending until a soft dough forms.

Roll small pieces of dough into 1" balls. Roll the dough ball in the cinnamon sugar to coat. Place balls on an ungreased baking sheet, leave 2" in between dough balls.

Bake in the oven about 10 minutes until tops are slightly cracked. Cool on a wire rack before serving.