Merry Christmas Molasses Cookies

A while back my kids helped me whip up a batch of our Merry Christmas Molasses cookies.  I had prepared some of the dry ingredients and paired them up with some of my hand made gingerbread ornaments to sell at this years craft shows.  There was a few bags left over so we made them into cookies as a family activity one afternoon.

The kids got right in there and helped me stir and smush the dough, and then cut out some mini cookies too. 

We're baking up round 2 this morning with some additional help from my Dad - kind of neat, 3 generations all working together  {the guy it all started with and another one to carry it on into the future}.

~Merry Christmas Molasses Cookies~

a nice light gingerbread cookie

2/3 c. Packed Brown Sugar

2/3 c. Shortening

1 1/3 c. Fancy Molasses

2 Large eggs

5 1/2 c. Flour

4 tsp Cinnamon

2 tsp Ginger

2 tsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp Salt

Mix the brown sugar, shortening and molasses all together using a hand mixer in a large mixing bowl until light and creamy, scraping sides periodically.

Add the eggs & beat up again.

  In a separate bowl, blend all the dry ingredients together and then mix into the moist creamed mixture in 1 c. increments until all incorporated. 

Ours was a little dry the first round and resembled large crumbs, but after kneading it it turned out just fine. 

It was firm, and as a result we didnt' need to refridgerate it before cutting it out. Otherwise, knead the dough into 2 equal balls and wrap in cellophane and refridgerate overnight.  The next day, warm the dough to room temperature before rolling it out on a floured board. 

Cut out the dough with your favorite cutters and lift to a parchment lined cookie sheet leaving adequate space between your cookies to rise and expand. 

 Bake in a preheated oven at 375 F for 7-8 minutes.  When gently pressed the cookies should leave a slight impression.  Remove them from the oven and cool on a wire rack.  They taste great just plain or dress them up with some Royal Icing and sprinkles or other edible decorations. 

 Enjoy!