Pennsylvania Dutch Molasses Softies Food

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH MOLASSES SOFTIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, thoroughly stir together the flour and salt; set aside.
• In another large bowl, with electic mixer on medium speed, beat together the butter, shortening and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat the molasses and orange zest into the butter mixture until evenly incorporated. In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream and baking soda until well blended.
• Beat the sour cream mixture into the molasses mixture. Gradually beat in the flour mixture until smooth and well blended.
• Cover and refrigerate the dough until firm enough to handle, at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 375*. Grease several baking sheets or coat with nonstick spray. Divide the dough in half. Working with one portion at a time and leaving the remaining dough chilled, shape portions of the mixture into generous golf ball sized balls with lightly greased hands.
• Place on baking sheet, spacing about 3 1/2" apart. Using your hard, press down the balls until about 1/2" thick.
• Evenly brush the cookies with the egg yolk mixture, try not to drip on the cookie tray, as the egg will burn on the baking sheet. Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time, in the middle of the over, reversing the sheet from front to back, halfway through baking to ensure even browning.
• Bake for 7-10 minutes -- or until browned on top and just beginning to firm up when tapped in the centers; be careful not to overbake.
• Transfer baking sheet to wire rack and let stand until the cookies firm up slightly -- 3-4 minutes.
• Using a spatula, carefully transfer the cookies to wire rack to cool completely -- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze up to one month.

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH SOFT SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375; line cookie sheets with baking parchment paper for best results, but you can grease or use non-stick spray if necessar-- I use the non-stick spray all the time.
• Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• Cream together sugar and butter.
• Add eggs one at a time and beat; then add the vanilla and beat.
• Stir the flour mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, into the sugar mixture, stirring until smooth.
• Drop by tablespoons or a small scoop (about 1 tablespoon capacity) onto the prepared cookie sheet.
• Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with additional granulated sugar (I will flatten the tops just very slightly to hold more sugar) and bake for 7-10 minutes, until just firm.
• Wait just a minute and then remove from the cookie sheets and cool on a rack.
• *Asa substitute for the buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup and add milk to make 1 cup; let stand for 10 minutes before using.

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH MOLASSES COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream the shortening and sugar together. Add the eggs, molasses and sour cream to which the baking soda has been added.
• Sift the flour and spices together and add to the wet ingredients.
• Drop teaspoonfuls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake at 350 degrees farenheit for 10-15 minutes.