MOLASSES COOKIES

Molasses Cookies image

Making these soft, chewy cookies with a rich flavor has been a family tradition since my children were small. At Christmastime, I shape the dough into gingerbread men with tasty raisin eyes and buttons. -Sue Bartlett, Berlin, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 35m

Yield about 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup molasses
1/2 cup cold water
5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
FROSTING:
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 to 4 tablespoons boiling water
M&M's minis and red shoestring licorice

Steps:

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in molasses and water. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and ginger; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or until easy to handle., On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 5-in. gingerbread man cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. , Bake at 375° for 6-8 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool., For frosting, in a large bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, ginger, salt, cinnamon and enough water to achieve spreading consistency. Frost and decorate cookies with candies as desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 228 calories, Fat 7g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 29mg cholesterol, Sodium 310mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (24g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.