Bake, Run, Live

Welcome to day 6 of the 12 days of Christmas cookies!

Sweet, spicy molasses cookies!

I am not a lover of spices- much to Nick’s chagrin. When he’s making dinner, he uses only salt and pepper, then after I have made my plate, he adds spices to his portion!

However, there are some spices I do like: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger. Maybe I like these because they are usually found in recipes with lots of sugar! Whatever the reason, these 4 spices come out of my cupboards a little more often during the colder months.

One such recipe that you will find them in, are molasses cookies.

Sweet, spicy molasses cookies! (Oops, I already said that) Well, I guess it just bears repeating! And eating!

Molasses Cookies
Makes: 24 cookies
Prep time: 10 minutes     Bake time: 13 minutes

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
2 eggs
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3 3/4 cups flour
Additional sugar for sprinkling on top, optional

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper- set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, shortening, and sugars. Add in the molasses and eggs- stirring until well combined. Stir in the baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Add in the flour and mix well. Using a large-sized ice cream scoop, scoop dough onto the prepared cookie sheet, leaving about 3 inches between each cookie (here is where you would sprinkle on the additional sugar, if you are using). Bake for 12-13 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove cookies from the parchment paper and move onto cooling racks. Cool completely. Enjoy!

What cookies do you bake for Christmas?

Made with love, not calories!