The Cozy Little Kitchen: Our Christmas Photos & recipe for Yummy Classic Molasses Cookies

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Our Christmas Photos & recipe for Yummy Classic Molasses Cookies

This shouldn't come as a surprise to you, but one of my favorite things about Christmas is the nibbling of cookies, candies, cakes and every wonderful confection the season brings! It's the one holiday that we all can agree to indulge without guilt, and I think it should be that way! I mentioned in my earlier post (on my fun Christmas facts) some of my favorite desserts and candies of the season. They include my mom's peanut butter balls and her fresh coconut cake that we endearingly call, the snowball cake. Others are my own raspberry linzer Christmas tree cookies and easy toffee cracker candy. This year I've added two new favorite that will definitely become tradition next year: Martha Washingtons (aka coconut-pecan bonbons) and these super soft and chewy molasses crinkles!

I really can't say enough about how wonderful these cookies are!!!

They are an old fashioned recipe, which guarantees deliciousness, and a simple one at that! Ground cinnamon, ginger and cloves, marry with molasses to give one of the most Christmas-y tasting cookies there is! They're rolled in sugar before being baked to give them a sparkly crinkle finish that I love. Gingerbread boys are so fun and cute, but these cookies have a similar flavor that is way chewer and--in my humble opinion--more scrumptious!!

Classic Molasses Cookies

Recipe from, The Yummy Life

2 c. All-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground cloves

1 tsp. ground ginger

3/4 c. butter, melted

1 c. plus 1/3 c. white sugar, divided

1 egg, room temp

1/4 c. molasses

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger; set aside. In a medium bowl, with a mixer on low speed, blend together the melted butter, 1 cup of sugar, and egg until smooth. Stir in molasses. With mixer on low speed gradually add the flour mixture; mix until completely combined. This is important: Cover and chill dough in fridge for 1 hour. I actually refrigerated this dough for about 48.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll dough into walnut sized balls, roll each ball into (the 1/3 c.) sugar. Place 2 inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes until tops are cracked, but the center is still gooey. I usually take out almost underdone to make cookies very chewy!

Serve these detectable molasses crinkles with a hot cup of frothy French press coffee or any other deeply rich coffee that will stand up to this rich cookie! We gave my mom a French press for Christmas, so on Christmas Eve we had an extraordinary cup of coffee to accompany molasses crinkles and other treats!

It was special to sit in the cozy sunroom, sip our coffee from pretty cups, and relax with family in the afternoon before dinner! Sigh .... I miss Christmas already.

Here are some of Mama's confections!

Here's the snowball cake with fruit salad, and homemade egg nog (sans alcohol). Delicious!!!

..... Here, take a peek with me at my very favorite Christmas "Sweets".

Over the river and through the woods to Grammy and Grandpapa's house we go!

Happy birthday, Jesus!!

Mom's Christmas Eve Breakfast!

We all stayed the night and awoke in their cozy country house to a light dusting of snow outside and the smell of biscuits and gravy, country ham, fried apples and cranberries, (and more) wafting from the kitchen. We loved it!!! Thank you, Mom!