We are introduced, at an early age, to the sweet wondernous of a cookie. From teething cookies to soothe the swollen aching gums of incoming incisors, onto animal crackers purchased in rectangular-shaped boxes bearing a string handle for easy toting by little fingers. Deciding which part of the animal should be eaten first-the trunk of the elephant or the tail of a lion-depended on how hungry one was. Savor each and every one or simply gobble them down as fast as possible.

My next cookie memory would be the ever famous, possibly all-time favorite, the chocolate chip cookie. There is nothing better than to bite into a round circle of baked dough sprinkled with gooey melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. A chocolate chip cookie can dry tears, heal broken hearts, mend scraped knees and elbows and solve sibling arguments. Most of the problems in the world could likely be solved by a properly baked, right out of the oven, chocolate chip cookie. The power of a cookie is underestimated.

I will attempt in the next 365 days to prepare and comment on a year’s worth of different cookies-one for each day. My goal is to share with others my extreme love of cookies-baking them and especially eating them! Feel free to send me your favorite recipe, your earliest cookie memories, or how cookies may have influenced your life. Cookies Rule!


Sunday, August 29, 2010

Cookie Recipe #239 - Molasses Slices


Two spicy molasses cookies put together with a buttercream frosting makes a luscious sandwich.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened, 1/2 cup shortening, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, 1 egg, 1/2 cup molasses, 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour. Frosting: 2 tablespoons butter, softened, 2 cups powdered sugar, 3/4 teaspoon vanilla, enough milk to make of spreading consistency.

Instructions: In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and shortening; add granulated sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves, mixing well. Beat in egg and molasses until combined. Gradually beat in flour until thoroughly incorporated. Cover and chill dough about 2 hours or until easy to handle.

Divide dough in half and shape each half into a 9-inch long roll. Wrap rolls in plastic wrap and chill for 4-24 hours or until firm enough to slice (I put mine in the freezer for a few minutes after it had refrigerated about an hour and it was firm enough for me to slice).

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut rolls into 1/4-inch slices. Place slices about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven about 8 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheet for a minute before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Make frosting: In medium bowl, beat butter and vanilla; add powdered sugar and about 2-3 tablespoons of milk. Beat, adding more milk as necessary to make of spreading consistency. Spread bottom of half the cookies with a generous amount of frosting; top with remaining half of cookies, bottom side down.

Makes about 3 dozen sandwiches.

"Better Homes and Gardens Biggest Book of Cookies", Meredith Corporation, Des Moines, IA, 2003.

Cookies Rule!!!

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