Tea, Cookies, and So Much Love

My Aunt Vicki was an angel to me. No hurt was too big to be fixed or too small to be noticed. She always seemed to be love incarnate. I miss her every day.

When it is cold and grey and my heart is a little heavy, I head to the kitchen for tea and cookies.  Aunt Vicki made cookies by the hundreds.  She started the Christmas baking in the summer. All of her children, siblings, and the host of nieces and nephews have a favorite.  This one is mine.

Aunt Vicki’s Sugar Molasses Cookies

3/4 C shortening or butter
1/4 C molasses
    2 C flour
1/2 tsp ground cloves
    1 tsp cinnamon
    1 tsp ground ginger
    2 tsp baking soda
    1 egg
    1 C sugar
1/2 tsp salt
       black pepper

Preheat oven to 375° F.

Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  Add the molasses and beaten egg.  Add the butter and mix until well incorporated.

Roll dough into 1″ balls. Toss with white sugar in a baggie (or roll in a shallow bowl).  Place on baking sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool. Enjoy with milk or tea or whatever brings you joy.

Auntie’s pro tips:
Mix this dough by hand.

Melt the butter in the microwave. (If you do this, be careful with the egg.)

After 8 minutes the cookies will be high, then they fall suddenly.  The secret is to under-bake.

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My well-loved copy