Thursday, September 3, 2009

Molasses Spice Cookies

When I'm stressed, I lose all interest in food. I decided to make comfort cookies, trying to coax my appetite back. While I was baking these, my house smelled like a "home" and childhood memories flooded back. I remember when I would come home from school, and my mom already had dinner simmering on the stove, and it was always such a comforting feeling. If your looking for a 'comforting' cookie, these hit the spot. The first thing my boys said when they walked in the door from school was........ MMMMMMMMmmmmmmm , what's that smell ? {Heavenly}


For those Ina Garten fans ... I found these La Rochere glasses at TJ Maxx ! $2.99 each. This pattern is Versailles, which is perfect for me because it has shells on it ! ( Ina has the Amite pattern by Cristallerie La Rochere )

Molasses Spice Cookies (Cooks Illustrated THE BEST RECIPE COOKBOOK)
Preparation time: 30 minutes. Makes 18 large cookies.


2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons of baking soda

1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus 1/3 cup for rolling cookies
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsulphered molasses

Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice together in a bowl and set aside.

Use an electric mixer and beat the butter for 2 minutes. Add the brown sugar, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes with mixer set at medium speed. Add egg, vanilla extract, and molasses. Beat until combined, about 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl with a rubber spatula.

Add dry ingredients and beat at low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds.

Place remaining 1/3 cup of granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Working with 2 Tbsp of dough each time, roll dough into 1 3/4 inch balls. Roll balls in sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart.

Bake until the outer edges of the cookies begin to set and centers are soft and puffy, about 11 to 13 minutes. Cool cookies on sheets for 2 to 3 minutes before transferring them to cooling racks .

Note: do not overcook. The centers of the cookies should be somewhat soft and spongy when you take them out of the oven, otherwise they will end up hard and dry.

plate -"Shoreline" by Spode. ($2.99 at TJ Maxx) I love this pattern !

30 comments:

Claire Mercado-Obias said...

Thanks for sharing this recipe =) I have a jar of molasses hiding in my pantry!

Erin, Consider It Joy blog said...

I love your blog! You take some of the most beautiful photos, and I am definately baking these cookies this weekend:)

Reeni said...

Nothing compares to the smell of cookies baking! Such yummy treats for you kids to come home to!

chow and chatter said...

oh these cookies are heavenly i love the addition of the spices, love your blog as well, going to follow along
lol Rebecca

Room to Inspire said...

Yum-O! These look fabulous...I can't wait to make them! Thanks for sharing...I love the glassware :)

Chelsea

Room to Inspire said...

Yum-O! These look fabulous! I can't wait to try the recipe. Thanks for sharing...I love the glassware :)

Chelsea

Jboo said...

Wow -- those look yummy! Love those glasses too -- will be checking out my local TJ's. Have a great day.

Janet

LuLu said...

Awwww the comfort of cookies baking... makes me smile.
LuLu

Mary Ann said...

These are my favorite kind of cookie, especially when they are chewy! They look perfect.

Erin said...

Wow! These look delicious!

Unknown said...

those cookies look wonderful! thanks for the recipe.

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

I am just the opposite...Stress= EAT! Molasses cookies are one of my favs, would love to try this recipe... enjoyed my first visit to your cute bloggy here! I've got some spice cake I'll share with you, stop over !!! xoxo~Kathy~ @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

Kathy Walker said...

I remember the days when I would come home from school and there would be a wonderful smell lingering in the house and cookies and milk for me!

This looks moist and tasty!

Amy said...

YUMMERS!!! I will so be making these in the next week...our weather will be cooling down a bit and these will be so good with an afternoon cup of coffee!!

Thanks!!

Beth Dunn said...

Live for the cookies! xoox

sealaura said...

oook cookies, you have some lucky kiddos that get to come home to delightful kitchen smells.

theUngourmet said...

This is one of my son's favorite cookies!

I lose my appetite when I'm stressed too!

The P & A Food Chronicles said...

wow, u just found you blog and I love it... the music makes very cute!! And i think your recipe and post about the cookies and childhood memories hit that same spot with me as i read it.. thanx!!

Restoration House Interiors said...

These are some of MY FAVORITE cookies to make around here...I have some dough in the freezer right now...oh, I can't wait to make em. Thanks for sharing your recipe! Have a great weeekend!

Anonymous said...

when I was growing up I loved to come home to the smell of food. Coffee in the morning, pot roast at night. That reminds me of my mom!

Brenda Pruitt said...

Sounds delicious! I haven't made cookies in awhile. I seem to remember these from my childhood.
Brenda

Pearl Maple said...

Yum recipe, molasses and spice are a true fall combination. Thanks for sharing your recipe. I have just joined in Foodie Friday and really enjoying everyone.

Decor To Adore said...

Oh I do hope your stress has melted away now! The cookies look wonderful.

Bebe is so cute!

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

mmmm...I can imagine the lovely scent of these cookies throughout the house!

I also eat less when stressed...just not interested or can't focus on food! hm...I've been stress free, since all my classes are done and I've graduated ;o)...

...and my jeans are feeling it too! ...food has been definitely a focus again! haha

Blessings & Aloha!

Kathy said...

It has been a while since I have been blogging and loved catching up!! Stop by and catch up with me....Kathy

Lylah Ledner said...

I can tell that i MUST make these! I'm new in finding you and so glad I did.

Anonymous said...

I love getting molasses cookies at Starbucks when they have them and I've been meaning to try baking some at home... Looks like this will push me to baking them at home and enjoying them a lot more!!!

AndreaQ said...

love cooks illustrated and LOVE molasses spice cookies! Also love that you pair a definition/word with every picture!

Lucy said...

Thanks for sharing the nice recipe. I will certainly try to make it my own. I would love to get that La Rochere Versailles Tumblers set from Overstock.

Teresa said...

Yes, yes, yes...will be making these to send to my Dad in Alabama...he luuuuuvs good spicey molassess cookies! Yummmy!

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