Molasses Cookies

December 18, 2014

Dip the balls of dough into cold water then sugar. The sugar sticks to the wet dough in irregular clumps, creating the "dried mud" appearance when the cookies are baked.

Ingredients

1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening

1/4 cup butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1/3 cup molasses

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)

Ice water

1/2 cup granulated sugar

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350F.

Combine shortening, butter and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg and molasses; beat well. Add flour and baking soda, salt and spices; beat until well combined. Chill at least 1 hour.

Roll dough into walnut-size balls; dip in ice water and then granulated sugar. Place on baking sheet at least 2 inches apart (cookies will spread). Bake 10 to 15 minutes.