Donna’s Molasses Cookies
Photo: Erin Kunkel; Styling: Kelly Allen
"This recipe is from my mother-in-law's box of typed 3- by 5-in. cards, handed down from her mother," says Beryl Schwartz of Ojai, California. "Nothing reminds us of the holidays like the aroma of molasses wafting through the house!" Schwartz adds cloves and ginger for extra spice and rolls the cookie balls in turbinado sugar for crunch.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
In a medium bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed, beat shortening with granulated sugar until fluffy. Scrape down bowl and beat in egg.
Step 2
2
In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in 2 tsp. warm water. Sift flour and ground spices into a medium bowl.
Step 3
3
Beat baking soda mixture into shortening, then add flour mixture in alternating batches with molasses and fresh ginger. Cover with plastic wrap and chill 2 to 3 hours and up to overnight.
Step 4
4
Preheat oven to 350°. Scoop dough into 1-tbsp. balls. Roll in turbinado sugar.
Step 5
5
Set balls on greased baking sheets at least 2 in. apart. Bake until dry-looking around edges, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets just until set, then transfer to cooling racks.
Step 6
6
*Look for "trans fat-free" on the label.
Step 7
7
Make ahead: Baked cookies, up to 1 week, airtight at room temperature.
Ingredients
3/4 cup vegetable shortening*
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups flour
2 to 2 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/3 cup molasses (not blackstrap)
2 teaspoons finely shredded fresh ginger
About 3/4 cup turbinado sugar for rolling
Directions
Step 1
1
In a medium bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed, beat shortening with granulated sugar until fluffy. Scrape down bowl and beat in egg.
Step 2
2
In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in 2 tsp. warm water. Sift flour and ground spices into a medium bowl.
Step 3
3
Beat baking soda mixture into shortening, then add flour mixture in alternating batches with molasses and fresh ginger. Cover with plastic wrap and chill 2 to 3 hours and up to overnight.
Step 4
4
Preheat oven to 350°. Scoop dough into 1-tbsp. balls. Roll in turbinado sugar.
Step 5
5
Set balls on greased baking sheets at least 2 in. apart. Bake until dry-looking around edges, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets just until set, then transfer to cooling racks.
Step 6
6
*Look for "trans fat-free" on the label.
Step 7
7
Make ahead: Baked cookies, up to 1 week, airtight at room temperature.
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