Beat shortening, brown sugar, molasses, egg white and vanilla in large bowl at high speed of electric mixer until smooth. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices in small bowl. Add to shortening mixture; mix well. Cover; refrigerate until firm, about 8 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 180ºC . Grease cookie sheets. Rool out dough on lightly floured surface to 0 cm thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place on prepared cookie sheets.
Bake 6-8 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate as desired.
Makes about 2.5 dozen cookies.