Rolled Molasses Cookies Recipes

JOHN'S ROLL-OUT MOLASSES COOKIES

Steps:

• Mix together shortening, molasses and brown sugar. Stir in 1/4 cup cold water.
• Mix together the flour, salt and spices. Add to molasses mixture.
• Dissolve soda in 1.5 teaspoons cold water. Stir it into the above mixture.
• Gather up dough into a ball; on waxed paper, pat into a disk. Wrap up. Chill for at least an hour.
• Roll out between 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch thick. I thought 1/2-inch was a bit too thick, but it's up to you. Cut into shapes, specifically gingerbread men or bears. Gather up scraps, pat into a ball, reroll and cut into shapes, etc., until you have used most of your dough.
• On lightly greased or sprayed cookie sheets, bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes.
• These swell a little during cooking, so be sure to leave some space between them on the cookie sheets. Also, they taste better the day after baking when the spices have had a chance to meld with each other.

ROLLED MOLASSES COOKIES

Steps:

• If you want to use vegetable shortening instead of lard, increase the amount by 1/2 cup I have never done this.
• (I add cinnamon too).
• Cream lard, sugars; add eggs, salt, spices, and baking soda.
• Add molasses and beat well, add water slowly.
• Stir in enough flour to make a dough stiff enough to roll.
• (I chill dough for a few hours) Roll 1/4 inch thick (or thicker if you want cake-y cookies) and you may sprinkle with extra sugar.
• Cut cookies, place on ungreased cookie sheets, bake in a 400 oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
• They are done when you can press down with a finger and leave a dent.
• Cool on wire racks.
• I prefer to gauge doneness by looking at the underside of the cookie and seeing how brown it is.
• If you want a cake-y cookie, don't let the cookies get dark browned, you want them golden, dark tan.
• Baking time will vary with the size of your cookies too.
• Small ones take a lot less time to bake.

MOLASSES COOKIES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the melted margarine, 1 cup sugar, and egg until smooth. Stir in the molasses. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger; blend into the molasses mixture. Cover, and chill dough for 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Roll dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining white sugar. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until tops are cracked. Cool on wire racks.

SOFT MOLASSES CUTOUT COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in molasses. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with water, beating well after each addition. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or until easy to handle. , On a lightly floured surface, roll out to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with 2-1/2-in. cookie cutters dipped in flour. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. , Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until edges are firm. Remove to wire racks to cool. Frost or dust with confectioners' sugar if desired.

OLD-FASHIONED MOLASSES COOKIES

Steps:

• In large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, the shortening, molasses and eggs until well blended. In small bowl, dissolve baking soda in water; stir into molasses mixture. Stir in remaining cookie ingredients until well blended. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease cookie sheet. On floured surface, roll dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut with floured 2 3/4-inch round cutter (or cut with clean food can with both ends removed, such as rectangular-shaped pork luncheon meat can). Place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In 2-quart saucepan, sprinkle gelatin on cold water to soften; stir in 1 cup granulated sugar. Heat to a rolling boil; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes. In large bowl, place powdered sugar and hot gelatin mixture. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed about 2 minutes or until foamy. Add vanilla, baking powder and salt; beat on high speed 12 to 15 minutes or until soft peaks form. Frost bottoms of cookies with frosting. Let stand until frosting is dry, 2 to 3 hours, before storing.

ROLLED MOLASSES COOKIES

Steps:

• Put shortening and molasses in small saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Remove from heat and cool.
• Combine remaining ingredients and stir in the cooled molasses mixture.
• Mix well; cover container and chill in refrigerator for 3 hours.
• Roll dough on lightly floured board to about 1/4 inch thickness.
• Cut in desired shapes and place cookies about 2 inches apart on ungreased shiny cookie sheets.
• Work quickly because dough softens as it warms.
• Bake at 350 degrees about 8 to 10 minutes.