Old Fashioned Molasses Cookies!

 

I get asked a lot about a good recipe for an "Old Fashioned Molasses Cookie" and I love anything with molasses in it so here you go!!!   These cookies are a delicious soft cookie with a slightly crisp crust and just hint of spice in them.  They remind me a bit of a spiced tea cake!  Speaking of tea, these would be great with a cup of hot tea!!!  

Even thought these cookies are an "old fashioned" recipe, all ages seem to love them.  My son has loved this sort of cookie since he was a little boy!    These are perfect cookies for the holidays to fill out your cookie tray!

Here is what you will need:

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup molasses

1 egg

3/4 cup butter (softened to room temperature)

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground cloves 

sugar  (for rolling cookies in)

In a mixing bowl, beat the white sugar, the brown sugar, molasses and egg together until blended.  Add the butter and beat until creamed together.  

Sift all of the dry ingredients together until blended.   Gradually add to the creamed mixture.  Mix well.  Place in the refrigerator to chill.

  

When you are ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees.   Scoop the cookies out in one inch balls and roll them in sugar, then place on a greased cookie sheet or a cookie sheet covered in nonstick foil or parchment paper.  You can also lightly spray the foil or parchment paper with nonstick spray. 

 

If the dough starts to get warm, chill what is left to make it easier to work with.

Bake for 8-9 minutes for a slightly chewy, soft cookie!  

Allow to cool slightly and then remove to a plate with a spatula! 

These are great cookies for the holidays or anytime you just want an old fashioned treat!!

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies!

When my son was little, we always made sugar cookies for the holidays!!!  We had so much fun with it!!!  I have tried many different recipes and this one is one of the best tasting ones I have tried.   The dough is really tender and delicate which makes a delicious cookie. 

There is a key to working with this dough, it needs to chill overnight or all day long at least to get very cold.   Then you only need to roll half at a time and refrigerate the other half until you are ready.  As long as the dough is very cold it's easy to deal with.  

 Here is what you will need:

1 1/4 cups white sugar

1 cup butter, softened to room temperature

4 oz. cream cheese at room temperature

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla flavoring

1 egg yolk

2   1/4 cups all purpose flour

In a large mixing bowl, beat the sugar, butter, and cream cheese until it's well blended.  Add the salt, vanilla flavoring, egg yolk and flour and mix until a soft dough forms.   Pull the dough off the sides and form a ball.  Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least for 8 hours.

When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  Roll half the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness.   Refrigerate the rest of the dough until ready to use.  Cut into shapes with lightly floured cookie cutters.  Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.  I like to use parchment paper or nonstick foil on my cookie sheets.   You can sprinkle with colored sugar or leave plain to decorate after baking with icing.   Bake  on center rack for 8 to 10 minutes or just until slightly brown.    Cool completely before frosting.