Molasses Crinkles

These are some of my favorite cookies and one of the first I ever learned to bake! My favorite sweets to bake when I was little were poppy seed bread and molasses crinkles. (Check out my Poppy Seed Bread here). I loved using all of the tiny teaspoons and half teaspoons to measure out spices and extracts.

I also loved making these because I got to scoop the dough, roll it into a ball, and dip the top in sugar.

My house smelled so good while I was baking these! Aren't they adorable! I had so much fun taking pictures of these cute cookies!

These cookies are soft and chewy - my favorite kind! A nice, firm shell with a soft center.

Fresh from the oven! Puffed up gooey sweetness.

The cookies are so good straight out of the oven!

Molasses Crinkles are one of my grandpa's favorite cookies but he likes his on the hard, crunchy side.

I always make sure to make a tray or two a little "overdone" for him.

Molasses Crinkles Recipe

1 1/2 cups soft shortening

2 cups brown sugar, packed

2 eggs 

1/2 cup molasses

4 1/2 cups flour

4 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. salt 

granulated sugar for dipping

Mix thoroughly shortening, brown sugar, eggs, and molasses with an electric beater. 

In a separate bowl, stir together flour, soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. 

Slowly mix dry ingredients into the shortening mixture.

Chill dough.

Using a small cookie scoop, scoop a portion of dough out. Roll into a ball and dip the top in sugar. 

Place cookies sugared-side up on a cookie sheet.

Bake 10-12 minutes in a 350 degree F oven. 

Cool on cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Makes about 6 dozen cookies. Note: do not over-bake, as these are a soft, chewy cookie.

These freeze well. 

Recipe from The Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale Recipe book, 1984. 

Great with coffee or milk! :)

Perfect! These make great gifts because it makes so many! I like to stick a couple in the freezer for later too!

Who is ready to bake?

Megan

Suit Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookies are one of my favorite sweets! I really enjoy them because they are connected to one of my family's traditions. Every Christmas we make 200-300 sugar cookies to eat and give away. I love this family event and I look forward to decorating day.

Christmas Cookies 2015

I bought these adorable antique cookie cutters up on the Spoon River Drive last October. They're so cute and I've been looking forward to making cookies with them.

I whipped up some yummy sugar cookie dough and let it sit in the fridge overnight. I'm not much of a raw-dough-eating person but this dough is so yummy I could eat a bowl of it! Thanks, Mom, for making cookies with me!

Sugar Cookie Dough Recipe

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cream of tartar 

Mix all ingredients well in mixer. 

Chill for best results.

Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface until 1/8-1/4 inch thick and cut out with cookie cutters.

Bake at 350 degrees F on a parchment paper lined sheet for 10-12 minutes. 

Cool completely before icing.

Icing Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

4-5 cups powdered sugar

milk to thin, to desired consistency, added a 1/2 Tbsp. at a time 

1-2 tsp. corn syrup, to give icing shine 

2 tsp. vanilla extract

food coloring, I used food coloring gel for vibrant colors

plastic sandwich bag for piping

Cream butter.

Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time and mix well, adding a little milk each time.

Once you have achieved desired consistency add vanilla and corn syrup. 

Divide icing and add food coloring. 

Aren't they cute!? While I iced cookies in the kitchen, this is what was happening in my adjoining laundry room!

Nate worked in the attic most of the day finishing up a house project!

I added frosting to a bag so I could pipe on my cookies. 

Ready for a game of double solitaire! 

Cards, anyone?

Megan