Recipe: Molasses Cookies (3) and Gingerbread Recipe

Molasses Cookies

3/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
additional sugar

Cream together shortening and sugar. Add molasses and beat well. Combine flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves together and mix into the creamed mixture. Form dough into 1- inch balls and roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheets. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes at 375 degrees F.

Mother's Molasses Cookies

3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons soda
2 teaspoons ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
1 cup sorghum molasses
1/2 cup boiling water
1 tablespoon vinegar

Mix dry ingredients. Add remaining ingredients. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed with mixer. Drop by tablespoons on greased baking sheet. (Add flour if batter is not stiff.) Bake about 12 minutes at 375 degrees F.

Old Fashioned Molasses Cookies

6 to 8 cups plain flour
4 teaspoons soda
4 teaspoons ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup shortening
2 cups sorghum molasses
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup boiling water
2 teaspoons vinegar

Stir together 2 cups flour, soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, mix shortening, molasses, sugar, eggs, and vinegar. Add boiling water. Stir dry ingredients into molasses mixture. Mix in remaining flour; chill. Take out all or part of the dough. Roll to 1/4-inch thick. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 or 12 minutes or until done.

Gingerbread

3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sorghum molasses
3/4 cup melted shortening
2 whole eggs
3 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
2 teaspoons soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup boiling water

Mix thoroughly and bake at 350 degrees F in a 9x13-inch pan for about 35 to 40 minutes.