I’m not often tempted by sweets but I can’t keep my hand out of the cookie jar when these cookies are in it. I love the combination of fragrant spices and sweet molasses that reminds me of my favorite gingerbread cookies at holiday time. The shortening-butter combination in this recipe results in a cookie that is crispy on the edges and chewy in the center and is sturdy enough to withstand being tucked into a backpack or picnic basket for summertime trips to the park or the beach. Put a scoop of ice cream between two cookies and you have an ice cream sandwich that kids of all ages will love. This is a great dessert because you can make the sandwiches ahead, wrap them in plastic wrap, and pull them out of the freezer when you want them. A sprinkling of sanding sugar on top is all the decoration these delicious cookies need.
Take the cookies out of the oven while they are still puffed up and only slightly brown on the edges if you like a chewy cookie. Leave the pan in the oven for an additional 2-3 minutes if you like a crisp cookie. Either way, THEY ARE DELICIOUS. I hope your family enjoys them as much as mine does.
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ginger
- 1-1/4 teaspoons cloves
- 1-1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup vegetable shortening
- 3-1/2 cups sugar
- ½ cup unsulfured molasses
- 2 large eggs
- Sanding sugar
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon.
- In another large bowl of an electric mixer beat together butter, shortening and 3 cups sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in molasses. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture and combine well.
- In a small shallow bowl put remaining ½ cup sugar. Form dough into 2-inch balls and roll in sugar. On baking sheets arrange balls about 4 inches apart and flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. Sprinkle each cookie with sanding sugar.
- Bake cookies 10-12 minutes in middle oven rack until puffed and golden. Take cookies out of the oven when they are barely brown around the edges if you like a soft molasses cookie. Cook several minutes longer if you prefer them crisp. Transfer cookies to rack to cool.
HAVE A VERY HAPPY AND SAFE JULY 4TH HOLIDAY
I’m joining the holiday festivities this Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum. Michael Lee is the hostess with the mostess and invites you all to attend. Stop by to see what’s cooking for the 4th of July holiday.
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{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
My favorite cookie! And they are not just for fall and winter. Have a wonderful, delicious and safe 4th of July.
Best,
Bonnie
Bonnie recently posted..Wild Mushrooms
I love Molasses cookies. I esp. love that there are cloves in here which is one of my favorite spices..have a happy 4th!
Fantastic…love molasses cookies and reminds me of my mom; she would have loved this recipe; great photos!
Rita
Delicious cookie! They look perfect wrapped up for the 4th! Have a great holiday weekend!
Carol @ There’s Always Thyme to Cook recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Another Herb!
These look like they were made for me. I luv that kind of cookie.
Happy 4th to ya’ll.
Ramona recently posted..He’ll be back
Love any cookie with molasses. Enjoy your weekend.
Susan recently posted..Heurtoir…it was knocking!!
These cookies sound wonderful, thanks for making your recipes printer friendly. Sure would be easier if everyone would do that.
Love your blog! Thanks
these look so good like Moravian cookies that are famous in Winston Salem
rebecca recently posted..What’s All This About @Klout?
I wish I wasn’t tempted by sweets!! I have a recipe very similar to this and they are one of my favorite cookies to make and eat.
These sound delicious and I just adore that little ribboned stack of cookies! Have a great Independence Day!
Vickie from Part Three recently posted..Summer 2011
What perfect timing! Oddly enough, I’ve been craving the tastes of fall. I was debating making an applesauce cake, or something with spices. These cookies are perfect. I can combine the flavors of fall with summer ice cream! Genius! I just love the texture of sanding sugar. I vote for chewy in the middle and crispy on the outside. Copied!
These look crunchy and delicious and full of flavour from all the spices. Love it. Thanks very much for sharing.
MaryMoh recently posted..Flourless Rich Chocolate Cheese Cake – No Failure Is A Failure
These look so delicious…..I just love ginger snaps and ones with molasses is an added bonus. I’m definitely trying these soon!’
Ellen
Ellen recently posted..Peanut Butter- Banana Mini Muffins with Brown Sugar Glazed Bacon
“I’m not often tempted by sweets”…how long have you noticed this condition??? I think you should see a doctor. I know a good one! *big grin*
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that last photo of the cookies! Magazine worthy, indeed!!!
Hugs,
Rett
Rettabug recently posted..Happy Birthday, America!
Very nice! Have A Happy 4th of July as well
Desserts In My Kitchen recently posted..Dixie Pie
Crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside are the words I love to hear
These do sound wonderful, Cathy!
Susan recently posted..Artichokes ~ Roman Style
Fun to see the new digs! It looks great! I wish I could say I’m not often tempted by sweets. These cookies look mighty tempting.
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes recently posted..Bacon Wrapped Cheese Hot Dogs
Cathy, I saw these on facebook and there is nothing better than a molasses cookie. My grandmother, who I never met was legendary for hers, but they were a very moist cookie. Yours look so yummy and would be great for ice cream sandwiches. Joni
What beautiful cookies. I love your patriotic pictures
I wanted to invite you to come over and share your recipe at These Chicks Cooked Recipe Spotlight that I host each week. Have a great day 
Katie
Katie @ This Chick Cooks recently posted..Fun Little "Watermelon" Desserts {lime stuffed with sherbet}
I am so often tempted by sweets, and these cookies look just delicious. Your photography is beautiful!
Congratulations on your new spot here. It looks wonderful! You have a happy and safe 4th as well.
These cookies ARE delicious!!! I’m not usually a crisp cookie gal but I gobbled them all up =o) LOVED them! Thanks for sharing with me.
Erin @ Making Memories recently posted..Firecracker Floats
I know I would LOVE these cookies as I am a fan of gingerbread and hermits. The combination of spices and the subtle sweetness of the molasses make them so good!
Happy 4th iof July!
Pat recently posted..America the Beautiful!
Have a great 4th. Those cookies look delicious and are so cute with the little ribbon. Next time we have house guests, I’ll leave a little plate of those cookies wrapped just like that on their night table.
Molasses cookies are so good and yours look very yummy! Enjoying ice cream sandwiches made with homemade cookies is just the BEST!
~Judy
JG recently posted..Raisin Rice Krispies Bars
I love molasses cookies! These look great! Happy July 4th to you too:)
Raina recently posted..My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Yummy!! Thanks for the recipe. Have a happy 4th!!
Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Those molasses cookies are perfect for any time of year!
Angie@Angiesrecipes recently posted..Paprika Chicken
I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but I do like ginger cookies. These look light and crisp and right up my alley. Hope you are having a great 4th of July weekend.
Sam
My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Crunchy Chicken Salad + a tip on how to keep baby lettuce fresh
They are so simple and pretty…and my favorite type of cookie…love ‘em! Happy 4th, Cathy
Heather @girlichef recently posted..Independence (Day) Popsicles – Happy 4th of July!
I am sure I would want to eat the whole batch. They look so good. I like the way you can just tell they are crispy on the edges and chewy in the middle. Happy 4th to you.
Marilyn recently posted..Happy 4th of July
Amazing recipe…I know that molasses is packed full of goodness but never really know what to do with it…This is a brilliant recipe…bookmarked and will be made later…
-Shilpa
Shilpa Sharma recently posted..Coconut and Orange come together to create a CAKE