Molasses Cookies

What: Best ever Molasses Cookies

Rating: 9

Non-Quantifiable Rating: Spicy, sweet, soft, and satisfying.  Like an Adam Sandler movie.

In the grand world of cookie baking I don't know if they quite stand up to Siri's chocolate ginger cookies (I'll post those eventually) but in terms of classic Molasses, these are BEYOND comparison.  Definitely the best molasses cookie recipe I've ever found, even with my slight alterations.  Make. them. now.  Are you still reading this?  Stop!  Go make cookies!  Go!

MOLASSES COOKIES (adapted from Shril J on recipezaar)

Makes 50 smallish cookies

INGREDIENTS

- 3/4 cup shortening

- 1 cup packed brown sugar

- 1 large egg

- 1/2 cup molasses (I used blackstrap and liked that, but you could use regular molasses)

- 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I used 1 cup all-purpose and 1-1/2 cup whole wheat)

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 2 teaspoons baking soda

- 1 teaspoon cinnamon

- 1 teaspoon nutmeg

- 1 teaspoon ground ginger

- 1 teaspoon allspice (I was out of allspice, so substituted 1/4 tsp. each of black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves).

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Cream together shortening and brown sugar.

2) Stir in egg and molasses and mix well (I beat my egg first)

3) Fold in dry ingredients and stir.

4) Cover and chill till firm (1-2 hours - although I chilled mine overnight).

5) Preheat oven to 350°.

6) Roll dough into small balls, pat down slightly, and roll in white sugar.

7) Place on lightly greased cookie sheet (or use parchment paper, which is what I always do).

8) Bake at 350° for 9-10 minutes. (9 is plenty - even if they still look soft, they will firm up as they sit).

9) Leave on sheet one minute until set (while my cookies were setting, I sprinkled a bit more sugar on them since most of the rolled sugar soaks in).