My Mom and I loved Molasses Cookies. They were soft, rich and a different kind of sweet. They had the flavors of ginger bread and spice cake, and were sweetened with dark brown sugar and molasses. It is an “old fashioned” combination of spices and sweeteners that may not be familiar to more modern palates. These cookies take me to my youth and Mother. Inspired by the cooler air, I made them, and with my first bite, I went back to a more simple time.
I’ve experienced this same sort of thing…a sip of cider…the smell of my Dad’s pipe tobacco…a gust of wind that as a child I imagined was a greeting, an embrace, or a playful tap from God. Even today a blustery day makes me think of our Creator. I enjoy reliving that simple, youthful experience of His touch. Memories can bring comfort, sadness, or joy, but the moments are cherished. They can bring people from our past to our present through our senses. What an incredible gift our Creator has given us.
Thanksgiving and Christmas can be so difficult, when I think about how much I miss my parents, or even those who aren’t nearby, but I’d rather have the memory than not, and celebrate them, maybe with a batch of cookies.
Old Fashioned Molasses Cookies
4 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups Molasses
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
Heat oven to 350F. Sift together first six ingredients. Melt shortening in saucepan large enough for mixing cookies. Stir in molasses and sugar. Cool. Beat in egg. Gradually add flour mixture. Beat about 20 strokes (I use an electric mixer). Shape into balls (golf-ball size). Place on greased baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes or until cookies have lightly browned.
Veronicas Veil 