Ginger Softs

Who doesn't love a cookie that smells and tastes like christmas. Yummmm. They are so easy to make and when you pull them out of the oven, they are done. No decorating needed. Yesterday, the kids and I made Ginger Snaps. I like to slightly under bake them and store them in an airtight container so they stay soft.

This time I used some "older" molasses and the cookies turned out a lot darker than they did the previous years. They still taste good but I wasn't sure about the presentation. Apparently molasses has many different kinds and each have their own effect. I used cooking molasses which according to this site, it is the kind I should have been using. I think In the past I used fancy. Why don't I write these things down?

So the kids had a blast rolling out the little balls. My 3 year old really got into it. He was making odd shapes and calling them poop. Yes 3 year olds + potty training and brown little balls = poop cookies. Of course the older boys were laughing and encouraging. Well at least the weren't fighting right? Well now that I've grossed you out...

... here is the recipe:

4 1/2 cups All Purpose flour

4 teaspoons ground ginger

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

Combine these in a bowl with 1/2 a teaspoon of salt

In a mixing bowl put 1 and 1/2 cups shortening (I used butter)

Mix for thirty seconds

Then add:

2 cups sugar

Mix again

2 eggs

1/2 a cup of molasses

Incorporate, then slowly add the flour mixture. Once incorporated, roll out into 1 inch balls and roll them in sugar. Place them on your baking sheet about 2 inches apart. And bake them at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes.

Happy Baking!