Grammies Molasses Cookies Food

CHEWY GINGER MOLASSES COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Whisk the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Beat the butter and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until well combined, about 3 minutes. Add the molasses and egg and beat until lighter in color, about 3 minutes. Add the flour mixture and mix on low until well blended.
• Using a tablespoon, form the dough into 1-inch balls and roll in sugar. Place each ball 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until golden and crackled, 12 to 15 minutes; the cookies will still be a little soft. Baking these in 3 batches one sheet at a time gets you the nice, crackly top. The second sheet of cookies can stay on the counter until ready to bake. Form the remaining dough, roll the balls in sugar and place on the now cooled first baking sheet. Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, and then remove to a rack to cool completely.

GRAMMY'S SPICE COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick liners.
• Using an electric mixer, beat 12 tablespoons butter with the granulated sugar, molasses and egg until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Slowly beat in flour, baking soda, spices and salt.
• Shape dough into walnut-size balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake until firm, about 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on wire racks.
• To make the icing, beat remaining 4 tablespoons butter with the confectioners' sugar until smooth. (Go slowly so you don't create a sugar storm.) Beat in the vanilla and enough cream or milk, and whiskey (if using), to make a spreadable frosting. Slather on fully cooled cookies.

GRAMMY CARL'S RULE FOR MOLASSES COOKIES WITH BOILED MARSHMALLOW FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• For the molasses cookies: Put the brown sugar, butter and vegetable shortening in a large bowl and beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until combined. Add the flour, molasses, eggs, cinnamon, ginger and baking soda and beat until combined.
• Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough onto the baking sheets. Make sure there is ample space between each dough ball as the cookies will spread.
• Bake until puffed on top, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet on a rack for 5 minutes, then transfer the cookies to the rack to cool completely before frosting.
• For the boiled frosting: Combine the granulated sugar, 3/4 cup water, cream of tartar and a pinch of salt in a medium heavy-bottomed pot, bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until a candy thermometer registers 245 degrees, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and fold in the marshmallows until melted.
• Put the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and whip on medium-high speed into stiff peaks. Turn the mixer to low and slowly pour the hot sugar mixture into the egg whites. Beat on medium speed until cool and fluffy, then fold in the vanilla extract.
• Using a butter knife, frost the bottoms of half the cookies, top them with the remaining cookies, and serve.

GRAMMY BURNHAM'S MOLASSES COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease baking sheets.
• In a large bowl, cream together shortening and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the molasses. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, and ginger; blend into the molasses mixture. Stir in raisins. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in preheated oven, or until the center is set. Cool on wire racks.