Hi, all! How are you doing? I hope you’re hanging in there during this crazy time, and finding ways to keep yourselves entertained. It seems that my city has taken to baking while they’re at home (or at least, that’s the only explanation I can find for the grocery store being sold out of flour consistently!). To that end, I figured I’d supply a recipe for you to try out: molasses cookies! Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside, sweet and spiced, these cookies are seriously so delicious. And, happily, the recipe makes a big batch so you’ll have enough to share with your family. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup shortening, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp cloves
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking soda

First, combine the melted shortening with the sugar and molasses. A note about the shortening- it’s necessary to use shortening to end up with the right texture and look of the cookies. I’ve tried substituting butter for the shortening, and you end up with a very different cookie (although still delicious, so if all you have is butter then go for it – just don’t expect the same result as will be shown here!)

If the shortening is still hot from being melted, let it cool down to lukewarm before mixing in the egg (otherwise, you’ll end up with cooked scrambled eggs in your batter and you’ll have to start over!). Once the mixture is cooled to lukewarm, mix in the egg and beat well. Your mixture will now look smooth and blended since the egg is binding everything together.

Mix in the spices, flour, and baking soda, and mix until fully combined.

Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375F. Once the dough is chilled, roll the dough into 1″ balls, roll them in the extra sugar to coat, and place them on a greased or lined baking sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes. If you have multiple cookie sheets going at once, switch their position in the oven halfway through baking to ensure even baking. You’ll know they’re done with they flatten, develop the characteristic cracking on top as pictured below, and have darkened to a nice rich brown color.

Remove to a wire cooling rack to cool. Be sure to have a few when they’re still warm, because they are absolutely amazing fresh from the oven.

And that’s it! If these last long in your house, I’ll be impressed. They’re going quick in mine, and there are only two of us here!

Keep your chins up and stay positive, everyone! We will get through this and we’ll be able to meet up and share our baked goods again before you know it.

Happy baking!