In a saucepan, melt butter with sugar and molasses (traditional method, one-pot dough).
Let cool slightly, then stir in flour, baking soda and ground spices to form a dough. Mix in an egg. Chill dough until firm. Roll out very thin and cut into heart or round shapes. Bake on greased sheets at 350?F until firm and slightly darkened (8?10 min). Cool until crisp..