chewy + molasses

one of my favorite things about this time of year are all of the gifts baked goods that come with it... one of my favorite treats is a cookie i made for family and friends every christmas growing up.  even in my tiny sf kitchen with my dysfunctional oven and overused bakeware, the smell and taste of these deliciously chewy molasses cookies brings me back to home and revives some of my favorite christmas memories.

. . . . . . . . . .

to begin, gather the ingredients: 2c all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cloves, 1 tsp ginger, 3/4 c unsalted butter, melted, 1 c + 1/3 cup sugar (divided), 1 egg, 1/4 c molasses

in small bowl (similar to one on left), whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves +  ginger; set aside. next, in medium bowl (like glass one above), blend melted butter, 1 c (the 1/3 c will be used later!) sugar + egg until smooth with mixer on low speed (spoon is fine too); stir in molasses.

gradually add flour mixture to molasses mixture; mix until completely combined until looks like the above (minus the flour everywhere...); cover and chill dough in refrigerator for 1 hour.

preheat oven to 375 degs; roll dough into walnut sized balls then roll each in remaining 1/3 c sugar.

place 2 inches apart on lined baking sheet (i used regular foil, but silpat or parchment work great too).

bake 8-10 mins just until tops are cracked all over, but cookies are still a bit gooey inside the center cracks; remove and cool on wire racks.

cookies + christmas cheer

tips: 

*for less mess i opted out of rolling the entire batch on the plate and poured some of the remaining sugar in a small cup to toss the dough ball in until coated

*i like to keep extra dough on hand in case there are any cookie mishaps or last minute holiday treat deliveries you need to give!  i securely wrap my dough with plastic wrap and write with permanent marker the cookie, temp cook and time and pop it in the freezer!

hey, it's okay to...
*eat the batter from the mixer and bowl
*to eat as many as you can stomach before giving out

but it's not okay to...
*skip the fridge time- the results will not be pretty!
*put a batch in without a timer and leave room to catch up on your dvr (see results)

...make + enjoy!