I have 2 recipes that I like. The 1st one was my grandmother's & the 2nd is one my mother discovered. Both are excellent!
Deb
Cracked Top Molasses Cookies
¾ c shortening
1 c brown sugar, packed
¼ c molasses
1 egg, beaten
2 Tbl baking soda
2 Tbl coffee, instant
1 Tbl cinnamon
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ginger, ground
¼ tsp cloves, ground
2¼ c flour
Shape into balls & bake at 375 for 10 12 min. Yield: 5 dozen
[NOTE: My grandmother rarely recorded measurements, so this was a real "find" for me! Do the usual creaming of the shortening then add the sugar. Add molasses & egg & mix until creamy. Add all remaining ingredients EXCEPT flour & stir until well distributed. Then add flour.]
Cry Babies
1 c brown sugar
½ c shortening
1 tsp baking soda
1 Tbl boiling water
1 c molasses
1 c strong coffee
1 Tbl ginger
1 Tbl cinnamon
flour
Blend brown sugar & shortening together. Dissolve baking soda in boiling water & add to molasses. Add this to sugar-shortening mixture. Add spices & mix well. Stir in boiling coffee & add enough flour to make a soft dough. Roll out ½ to ¾ thick. Cut in rounds using a coffee cup. Bake in quick oven 15 minutes.
This note was attached to the recipe in the book where I found it: Eat one and children cry for more; hence the name Cry Babies. This recipe was handed down through my mothers family since George Washingtons time.
My father loves these cookies, but my mother could never stir in enough flour as the dough became very stiff. She could only bake these when Dad was home. Shed hold the bowl & hed do the actual stirring.
[NOTE: Quick oven - The term arises from the time of wood stoves. A quick oven was one hot enough to make you pull your fist out quick when checking the temperature. At least thats how it was explained to me. I just use 400 degrees.]