Have Yourself a Yummy Little Christmas

Molasses cookies are my favorite kind – the soft ones, not the crispy ones. I usually only make them at Christmas time. Because I work from home, having baked goodies around is only asking for trouble. And weight gain. But at Christmas, who’s counting calories?

Amish Ginger Cookies
(from Christmas-Cookies.com)

3/4 c. butter, softened
1 c. granulated sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. unsulfured molasses
2-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 t. ground ginger
1 t. ground cloves
1 t. ground cinnamon
1-1/2 t. baking soda
extra granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a mixing bowl, beat together butter and 1 cup sugar until creamy. Add egg and molasses; beat until combined. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and roll in the extra granulated sugar. Place balls on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes until barely turning brown. Allow to cool for 1 minute on baking sheet and then remove to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: 4 dozen