Crisp Molasses Gingerbread Cookies

I know I'm posting another cookie recipe this week, but isn't that the point of Christmas season, right? Cookies, cookies, cookies, and more cookies. (yes, I know that is not the reason for Christmas!) And you need to have some special recipes in your arsenal when you head home or drop gifts or coupon messages off at friend's doorsteps.

This is one such recipe because it is so much simpler than making gingerbread-roll-out-cookie-cutter treats--plus, these have the crispy exterior and chewy bite before lighting your tastebuds up with all the holiday flavors you long for!

Again, since you are baking, you will need to "cream" things which means you will need a handmixer--if you haven't returned the hand mixer from trying Ree Drummond's Angel Sugar Cookies  posted a few days ago...use it one more time before returning the device!!

Try these today! Make a double batch to share with others on your way to class or finals; or, invite a friends over for a night of holiday movies, decorating the tree, holiday magic and good old-fashioned cookies and milk! Use the coupons below to send your message!

Crisp Molasses Gingerbread Cookies

Equipment:
Handmixer
Large Mixing Bowl
Spatula
Cookie Sheets

Ingredients:
3/4 cup shortening
1 1/4 cup sugar (plus sugar for rolling dough)
1 Tbls honey
3 Tbls molasses
1 egg
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Royal Icing Drizzle:
1 cup powdered sugar
4 tsp of milk

Instructions:
1. Wash your hands.
2. Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
3. Cream the shortening before adding sugar, honey, molasses, egg, spices and baking soda.

4. Slowly add each cup of flour slowly and mix well. Dough will become dense.

5. Use a spatula to scrap down edges of bowl with each flour addition.

6. Form dough into 1" balls.
7. Have a separate bowl with sugar to roll the balls in before placing on ungreased cookie sheet.

8. Bake at 350F degrees x 9-10 minutes until beginning to form cracks. Allow to cool.

9. Make your royal icing by combining powdered sugar with milk 1 tsp at a time. Or leave cookies plain!

10. Ensure icing completely mixed and cookies cooled before decorating!

Share some of these today!