I grew up on gingersnaps, but I'd never had a molasses cookie before I made these. There's just something about molasses that brings bygone times to mind, don't you think? Molasses cookies seem straight out of
Little House on the Prairie or
My Antonia. Maybe it's because they're so homey and unrefined, who knows? Dorie describes them as a "cookie jar cookie," and I emphatically agree. I don't have a cookie jar, but if I did, these would be an excellent cookie with which to fill it. They're chewy and substantial, and I think that it would be nice to tuck your hand into the cookie jar and come out with one of these molasses cookies.
I was really excited about these cookies. I love gingersnaps, and in my mind, these cookies were going to be similar. My all-time favorite gingersnap recipe calls for black pepper -- I just love a nice, spicy, gingery cookie. These cookies call for a whopping 1/2 cup of molasses. Woah. I think I added about 1/8 tsp of black pepper . . . if I had to do over again, I think I'd up the ginger and the black pepper because my cookies weren't as spicy as I'd have liked. I was definitely looking for grown-up molasses cookies, and I think I made the child's version. I know that they're molasses cookies, but I found the molasses flavor to be a little, well, strong. The molasses in my cookies overwhelmed the spices. I think, though, that my molasses was just really strong. I couldn't find
Grandma's molasses at the grocery store last time, so I got a different brand. I think that might be the culprit. I'd like to try these again with upped spices and Grandma's molasses, or maybe even
Steen's in place of the molasses? It could be good!
The majority of these cookies got packaged up and sent to my grandfather to enjoy. He is the original lover of all things molasses in my family, and as soon as I saw this recipe, I knew I wanted to share the cookies with him! Thank you so much to Pam, of
Cookies with Boys, for this great TWD November pick! I know I'll make these cookies again. This month TWD is a little wonky with the holidays (but in the very best way!) and picks for the month can be posted any week. Pam will have the recipe posted on her blog next Tuesday, the 17th, for those of you who'd like to take a peek. That said, Baking From My Home to Yours has been by far one of the best cookbooks I've ever, every owned, so you might want to consider getting a copy of your own! In the meantime, do visit
Cookies with Boys -- it's a wonderful and adorable blog with some fantastic recipes. Take a look at the coconut tea/bundt cake -- I'm dying to make it!
I grew up on gingersnaps, but I'd never had a molasses cookie before I made these. There's just something about molasses that brings bygone times to mind, don't you think? Molasses cookies seem straight out of Little House on the Prairie or My Antonia. Maybe it's because they're so homey and unrefined, who knows? Dorie describes them as a "cookie jar cookie," and I emphatically agree. I don't have a cookie jar, but if I did, these would be an excellent cookie with which to fill it. They're chewy and substantial, and I think that it would be nice to tuck your hand into the cookie jar and come out with one of these molasses cookies. 
I was really excited about these cookies. I love gingersnaps, and in my mind, these cookies were going to be similar. My all-time favorite gingersnap recipe calls for black pepper -- I just love a nice, spicy, gingery cookie. These cookies call for a whopping 1/2 cup of molasses. Woah. I think I added about 1/8 tsp of black pepper . . . if I had to do over again, I think I'd up the ginger and the black pepper because my cookies weren't as spicy as I'd have liked. I was definitely looking for grown-up molasses cookies, and I think I made the child's version. I know that they're molasses cookies, but I found the molasses flavor to be a little, well, strong. The molasses in my cookies overwhelmed the spices. I think, though, that my molasses was just really strong. I couldn't find Grandma's molasses at the grocery store last time, so I got a different brand. I think that might be the culprit. I'd like to try these again with upped spices and Grandma's molasses, or maybe even Steen's in place of the molasses? It could be good!
The majority of these cookies got packaged up and sent to my grandfather to enjoy. He is the original lover of all things molasses in my family, and as soon as I saw this recipe, I knew I wanted to share the cookies with him! Thank you so much to Pam, of Cookies with Boys, for this great TWD November pick! I know I'll make these cookies again. This month TWD is a little wonky with the holidays (but in the very best way!) and picks for the month can be posted any week. Pam will have the recipe posted on her blog next Tuesday, the 17th, for those of you who'd like to take a peek. That said, Baking From My Home to Yours has been by far one of the best cookbooks I've ever, every owned, so you might want to consider getting a copy of your own! In the meantime, do visit Cookies with Boys -- it's a wonderful and adorable blog with some fantastic recipes. Take a look at the coconut tea/bundt cake -- I'm dying to make it!
30 comments:
I agree that it's easy for the molasses to overwhelm the flavour. It's a good recipe to play around with.
I made these this week too! Glad you liked them even if they were quite spicy enough ;0) We loved these here, the boys gobbled them up in no time :)
These were so easy, and delicious.
We loved them
Yum these look great and I love the way you packed them up with the cute ribbon. Im making these next week. This week I went for the Bundt cake.
Your cookies look great! Mine were really thin, but I liked them that way. I bet your grandfather was thrilled to get these.
Your cookies look great!! I think I am going to make these for next Tuesday and I am looking forward to it! What a great granddaughter to send your grandfather cookies. You are so sweet!
My cookies were very dark too, and the molasses very assertive. I like spunky molasses, but if you use the light stuff I think you'll be pleased with the difference. I upped the spices (I usually do with Dorie's recipes).
OK, the captcha for this comment is "squatork" which tickled me for some reason...
I love the cookies wrapped in the ribbon. Too cute. I loved these cookies. I bet your grandpa was pleased to get these in the mail.
Thanks for the kind words, my friend. I hope your grandfather likes these. While I really did love these cookies, next time I'm gonna up the spices, too. Thanks for baking with me!
Your cookies look great! Love the ribbon wrapped ones. I also thought I would up the pepper next time.
I think I'd up the spices next time too - but no one complained and the cookies are all gone!
Your cookies look wonderful! Glad you liked them.
Nom nom nom. This weather calls for ginger and molasses! Gotta try these, Mr. Tofu LOVES em!
I'm glad you liked the cookies, they look great! Your grandpa will get a nice surprise when they arrive.
Loved the ribbon/bow picture.
How cute are your cookies wrapped up in the ribbon? Love that picture! I really enjoyed these too but I agree about the spices - next time I might up them just a little (well, everything except the pepper).
Some molasses is stronger than others, for sure.
I plan to make these next, and I'm sure my son will love them. They will go in my cookie jar!
I can't wait to make these, I love all varieties of ginger and molasses cookies. Glad to know in advance that they could use a little extra spice! Your cookies look wonderful!
You are so sweet! Your grandpa must have been delighted to get such a wonderful present in the mail. What I want to know is how you got your cookies so uniform? Mine spread out so maybe I didn't chill the dough long enough. BTW, you definitely are a Texan who enjoys here heat aren't you? I was thinking the same thing about upping the pepper or even adding a little chipotle powder. =)
JB- when you come visit me in February I will take you grocery shopping and we are cookin and bakin up a storm!!!
how do you make such delicious awesome-ness all the time?
Well Gee Mom.... are ya listening. This girl may just need a cookie jar of her very own. At least one for her ginger/molasses cookies. right? I'm glad you got to make them. I agree that a little sharper gingery, spice flavor is more grown up and to my liking as well.
Corbin likes them so I like having something that floats his boat.
AmyRuth
I could have sworn I left you a comment on here but I don't see it. I guess my brain is slipping. Your cookies look fantastic Jessica. loved the carrot salad you chose.
These were excellent! I'd up the spices myself on my next batch - even the black pepper, which I was a little worried about. Nice job on your cookies; glad your grandfather got to enjoy some too!
I love your photos, Jessica. I haven't made these yet but I'm getting so excited about them after reading so many posts about them. I posted on last week's pick.
Cute wrapped up cookies! I sent most of these away in a package too. I was meaning to ask you how the bundt that you shipped survived? If it went well, I might do that too because there is another bundt I want to make.
ok! long side note- anyway, your cookies look great. I want to up the spices too next time.
My grandfather loved molasses, too! Your cookies turned out beautifully...mine were a little square and/or mangled, but I agree...they tasted delicious! This recipe is definitely a keeper.
They look SOOOO yum-e...I'm going to give these a go next Tuesday...or maybe tonight, they looks so darn good!!! Maybe I will sty amping up the pepper and ginger as you suggest and see how they turn out!!
Wow, your cookies are packaged so beatifully, they're almost too pretty to eat. But I'd get over that and start tearing at the ribbon, because I have no self control around these cookies. The funny thing is that I didn't really notice the molasses (but David did). Not 100% sure what brand I used. This recipe is definitely worth tinkering with until you hit your perfect molasses/spice combo. Love the texture and all-around homeyness of these! Gorgeous cookies!
I love the first picture. I need to get some new props for my photos. Might have to go check out the ribbons at Michael's. =) I really loved these cookies, too.
Post a Comment