Molasses Cookies

12 Days of Christmas: Cookies

Molasses Cookies, 36 cookies

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
½ cup molasses
1 egg
3 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp each – cloves, ginger and salt
¾ cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 350˚.  Sift together dry ingredients and set bowl aside.  In a large bowl cream together shortening, sugar, egg and molasses.  Slowly add the dry ingredients to the mixture.  Once everything is well mixed, add the sour cream and mix until light and fluffy.  (I’ve found it easiest to keep my hands wet during the next step so the dough doesn’t stick to them.)  Scoop enough dough out of the bowl to create a 1 ½” round ball.  Place the balls on a parchment lined baking sheet (seriously folks, treat yourself to parchment paper – you will thank me) about 2 inches apart.  Using a teaspoon, make a small depression in the center of each ball flattening the cookies.  Sprinkle them with sugar and bake for 10-12 minutes or until firm.  Place the cookies on a wire rack to cool.