Molasses Cookies

December 4: National Cookie Day

With the holidays approaching, Islander is gearing up for the cookie exchanges at her food clubs, Advent church event potlucks and friends’ Christmas edible gift giving. She makes the fancy, decorated cookies but also bakes the simpler classic ones like molasses ginger cookies for variety on a platter. The strongly-scented, sweetly-spiced distinctive flavor make them a standout among other cookies. Celebrate the upcoming holidays as well as National Cookie Day and make molasses ginger cookies. 

Recipe

(Adapted from Betty Crocker)

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup vegetable shortening
  • ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 2 ¼ cup flour, all-purpose
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 3-4 tablespoons sugar, granulated white (for the topping)

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the vegetable shorting with brown sugar. Add the molasses. Beat in the egg.

In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Gradually add the dry to the wet ingredients and mix to form a dough. Roll into 1-1 ½ inch balls.

Dip tops of dough balls in sugar and place onto a cookie sheet, sugar side up, about 2 inches apart. Bake in a preheated oven at 325 degrees F for 13-16 minutes until the cookies look crackly and dry. Remove from the oven and cool completely. 

Notes

  • Search our blog for other cookie recipes.