Molasses Cookies

Growing up, my favorite dessert my mom would make for us was molasses cookies.  But hers weren't like the normal kind you get in the store.  They were almost muffiny, like pumpkin cookies.  They were very soft and pillowy, but very very rich and flavorful.  I always loved when she pulled them out of the oven and they looked like little hills.  Sometimes she would ice them with cream cheese frosting, and that was divine.

It was because of her I developed a great fondess for molasses and have been searching to find a recipe that was just as good.

And here is what I have compiled over the years. I baked about 5 dozen for a family dinner party tonight, and they were all consumed.

Technically, they are ginger cookies, but I just don't add as much ginger and change up the spices I use to make it my own.  But they are super soft and moist and oh so delicious.

And the bests part, you roll them in sugar before you bake them, how can you beat that?

So, here is the recipe:

2 1/4 (+) cups flour
1 tsp soda
pinch of salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1 tsp cloves
3/4 cups butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
dash of vanilla
Sugar

Cream the butter and sugar, then beat in the egg.  Add the vanilla and molasses, mix well.  Sift together all the dry ingredients, and them mix into the wet.  The dough will be sticky, but should form into balls well enough.  Drop balls in sugar and roll till well coated.  Place on parchment paper lined baking tray and back for about 10 minutes, until the tops look cracked.

Eat them as soon as they are cool enough for you to stand!  They are fabulous, so so tender and sweet, I can't get over it.  I think I will go have one right now, actually!