Frosting:
2 TBL butter
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 TBL molasses
1 TBL water

For the bars: in a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon & cloves. In a large bowl, cream the butter & sugar. Beat in the egg, molasses & water & stir in the dry ingredients, blending well. Turn into a greases 11x7" baking pan & bake in a preheated 350° oven for 20-25 minutes. Let cool while preparing the frosting.
For the frosting:
Combine the butter, confectioners' sugar, molasses & water, beating until smooth enough to spread. spread over the bars while they're still warm but let the frosting firm up before cutting the bars.~~Maine Ingredient

Sift the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cloves, nutmeg & allspice into a medium bowl & mix. In a large bowl, cream the shortening & sugar. Add the molasses & rum extract, beating well. Add the flour mixture & water alternately, beating well after each addition. Wrap the dough in foil & chill overnight.
Roll the dough to a 1/4" thickness. Cut with a floured 4" roudn cookie cutter & bake on lightly greased cookie sheets in a preheated 375° oven for 8-9 minutes.~~Taste of New England