December 1st already!? Wow! Time to start my holiday baking! When I was first married I started with 2 or 3 holiday recipes. As the years went by, some of the recipes I made became 'keepers' and were suddenly a tradition in our family. Before I knew it I was up to 19 then 20 and 21 different recipes I would make every year!
Over the past 10 years or so, I've made on average, about a 24 different recipes. Some are doubled and a couple are tripled; and I always add something 'new' to try each year. Because I do so much baking I have to start early and stock up on tins and foil to freeze those that are happy to be frozen. Today is December 1st... sounds like a perfectly good day to start focusing on cookies.
Here is a family favorite that has been in our family for years. The recipe makes a triple batch. Mix it up and then divide it into gallon ziploc baggies and mix up each portion as you need it.
Perfect Molasses Cookies
6 c flour
3 c sugar
1 T baking soda
1 T baking powder
1 T ground ginger
1 T ground cinnamon
1 t ground nutmeg
3/4 t ground cloves
1/2 t ground allspice
Mix the above dry ingredients in a very large bowl with a wood spoon or wire whisk. When completely mixed divide the mixture evenly into 3 large ziplock baggies with 3 cups of the mix in each. Make one ziplock at a time.
When you are ready to make cookies;
Add;
3/4 c soft butter (real)
1 egg
1/4 c molasses
to each 3 cup dry mix in your ziploc. Roll into 1 inch balls and roll in plain white granulated sugar. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes until the edge is firm and the top is cracked. Cool on the pan for 1 minute before moving to wire racks.
Previously, after posting this recipe on An American Housewife in 2008, I had this comment mailed to me. I want to include it here as well.
I just wanted to let you know that you are so right about those molasses cookies. I made the whole batch and kept the dry and it was perfect. I went to a Christmas cookie swap and took those and they were a hit. I saw the hostess tonight at a school function and she told me how great they were and how she kept them from the rest of her family!
Anyway, thanks again. The recipe rocked!
Julie