Molasses Cookies

What comes to your mind when you hear the word cookie? The yummy and delightful snack that can be chomped on at any time of the day or the tempting aromas of the spices that pulled you towards the big cookie jar when you were a kid. Ever tried your hands at them? Molasses cookies are easy to make and can be stored for a long time. Molasses is similar to maple syrup and comes in different types and grades of sugar content. Each has an unbeatable taste of itself. These cookies are chewy with their rich and earthy taste and are perfect with a glass of cold milk.

Soft Molasses Cookies
Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 cup condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 tablespoons vinegar
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup shortening
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, salt and the ground spices.
2. Combine shortening and sugar and stir well. Add egg and molasses and blend it all together.
3. Mix condensed milk and vinegar, and add it to the above mixture followed by the dry ingredients.
4. Drop small balls on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 375° in a preheated oven for about 10 min until they turn slightly brown.
5. Cool thoroughly on a wire rack.

Ginger Molasses Cookies
Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup molasses
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of pepper

Directions

1. In a bowl, dissolve baking soda into water. Add molasses and sugar to it and stir well.
2. Add all the spices and flour and blend well till you get the right consistency for rolling.
3. Make small balls of the dough and roll in powdered sugar.
4. Place them on cookie sheet and bake for about 10 min, until they turn brown.

Oatmeal Molasses Cookies
Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup quick cooking oats
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream sugar and shortening together.
2. Add an egg into it followed by molasses and beat it well.
3. Sift the dry ingredients together and add them to the above mixture. Blend well.
4. Add vanilla extract and stir in oatmeal.
5. Drop small balls on a baking sheet and bake for about 12 min.

Molasses Crinkles
These are the crunchy and crispy cookies made out of molasses. Here's how to make them.
Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tablespoons softened butter or margarine
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cups dark molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Combine butter, oil , molasses sugar and egg together and beat well.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients like flour, spices, baking soda and salt together and add it to the above molasses mixture.
3. Stir well until a smooth and well blended dough is obtained.
4. Make small balls and roll them in powdered sugar.
5. Place them on cookie sheets and bake for about 10 to 15 min until they turn slightly brown.

You could make variations in the above recipes by including plump raisins, walnuts or any other nuts of your choice. Molasses cookies are the perfect tea time snack. So, pick up a recipe from the above and get started!