Molasses Cookies

[LShortt]

One thing I have learned since moving North, across the border, is that people raised on the east coast of Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI & Newfoundland) all seem to have a strange love affair with...molasses.  They smather molasses all over anything and everything and call it a treat.  I think it's strange    BUT, this recipe is worth passing along.  Total yummage!

12 Tbl (1 1/2 sticks) UNsalted butter
1 cup white sugar*
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 350F.  Melt butter, add sugar and molasses and mix thoroughly.
Lightly beat egg & add to mixture; blend well.
Sift flour with spices, salt and baking soda.  Add to first mixture; mix.  Batter will be wet.
Lay a sheet of foil on a cookie sheet.  Drop tablespoons of cookie batter on foil, leave about 3 inches between cookies.  These will spread during baking.  Bake until cookies start to darken, 8-10 minutes.  Remove from oven while still soft.  Let cool on foil.

Makes about 24 large flat cookies.  They stay moist in an airtight container for about 1 week.

*for richer cookies use 1/2 cup white sugar & 1/2 cup brown sugar.