Soft Molasses Cookies

I love to bake cookies, but I must admit that I almost never bake chocolate chip cookies, even though I love them. Why? Because chocolate chip cookies have become the classic cookie and there are so many more kinds out there. My sister, Cher, was reminiscing this morning about our Grandma's Molasses Cookies, and I was very pleased to have it, written in my grandmother's hand. So I baked up a batch.

Grandma was a farmer's wife and a darned good cook. She made these cookies often for us, and I share them with you (I have cut it in half, since the original called for 7 cups of flour and made a LOT of cookies.) These are good keepers in an airtight container, once cooled. So good with a glass of milk!

Soft Molasses Cookies, from the kitchen of Esther Ocain

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Recipe makes 6 dozen.

3/4 cup milk

2 1/4 tsp vinegar

      Mix milk and vinegar and let stand for a few minutes

7/8 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar (packed)

1 egg

      Cream shortening/brown sugar/egg together, then add by hand:

1/2 cup dark molasses

      Add milk/vinegar to above, then stir in:

3 1/2 cups flour

2 tsps baking soda

1 1/2 tsps salt

2 tsps cinnamon

2 tsps powdered ginger

Drop by tsp on greased baking sheet (or use parchment and there's no need to grease.)  Bake for 7-9 minutes.  Note: I use a 1 Tbs scoop, with the dough leveled off, and 7 minutes baking time is perfect. You could use a mixer for all of this, but according to Grandma, once you add the molasses you should stir by hand if you want the cookies to be dark. The mixer adds air, making the color of the molasses lighter.

Bob and I went back to Tim and Bernie's house yesterday to help finish up some projects. While Bob built a doorframe, Bernie and I finished (well, ALMOST finished) the sofa upholstery job. We were so pleased with the way it came out!

Not too bad for a couple of women who have never done this before, eh?  Bernie is working on those two pieces of curved trim on the front of the arms today. She did some of the sewing on the cushion, as well, and learned how to put in a zipper and to feel comfortable with her sewing machine. I am so proud of her!