89- year old Jeannie Gordon loved to visit with the neighborhood kids, and they would flock to her house knowing they would always be rewarded with a special treat. She passed in 2005 but will always be remembered as a welcoming neighbor. These were one of her favorites.
Oven: 350 degrees
24 cookies
11 minutes per batch
4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups shortening (Crisco has a new “no trans-fat” shortening, although I’m skeptical…but butter is not a good substitute)
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
½ cup molasses
¾ cup sugar for tops
1.In a medium bowl stir together dry ingredients- flour, ginger, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves and salt.
2.In another large bowl, cream together shortening and sugar until well blended. Beat in eggs and molasses, scraping sides of bowl occasionally, until combined. Add as much of the flour as possible with the mixer, stir in any remaining.
3.Shape dough into 2” balls and roll in the ¾ cup of sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet 2 ½ inches apart.
4.Bake at 350 degrees for 11-13 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned and tops are puffed. Do not overbake or they will not be chewy. Cool for two minutes and transfer to a wire rack and enjoy!
*This no-fail favorite recipe originally appeared in Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook.
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