I know this sounds shocking but I've never made molasses cookies. How can this be you ask? To be honest, I really can't believe it myself. I've made a vast array (Okay, maybe not a vast array, but quite a few.) of cookies in my lifetime. Everything from oatmeal raisin to chocolate chip to peanut butter but never molasses. Come to think of it, I don't believe I've ever made a snickerdoodle cookie either. How strange! Well, I guess I'd better get busy baking cookies then!
It also has great health benefits. Molasses contains manganese, copper, iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B6, and selenium.
It is also low in calories. If you have time hop on over HERE for more great info.
I just had to share these interesting historical facts about molasses with you. I thought they were quite fascinating! I found this over at the link above.
Molasses has been imported into the United States from the Caribbean Islands since the time of the early colonists. In fact, it was the most popular sweetener used until the late 19th century since it was much more affordable than refined sugar, which was very expensive at that time.
In some respects, molasses has had a rather sticky history with at least two important historical events centering around this sweet food product. The first is the Molasses Act of 1733, a tariff passed by England to try to discourage the colonists from trading with areas of the West Indies that were not under British rule. This legislation is thought to be one of the events that catalyzed pre-revolutionary colonial dissent and unrest.
It is not often that a fateful tragedy occurs that centers around a food, but unfortunately, in 1919, one such event did occur. The event is referred to as the Great Molasses Flood and occurred when a molasses storage tank holding over two million gallons of molasses broke, and its sticky content came pouring throughout the city streets of Boston, Massachusetts, traveling as fast as 35 miles per hour and creating a thirty foot tidal wave of sweetener. Unfortunately, this was not a sweet matter as twenty-one people died and significant amounts of property was destroyed.
Blackstrap molasses gained in popularity in the mid-20th century with the advent of the health food movement. Today, the largest producers of molasses are India, Brazil, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines and the United States.
I searched online for a recipe that looked good to me and ended up mixing and matching and adding in a few of my own touches.
Chewy Molasses Cookies
by theUngourmet
Print recipe
3/4 cups melted butter, cooled to room temp
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
1 tsp fresh minced ginger
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup ground golden flax
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp each ground cloves and ground cardamom
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
Combine the butter, molasses, egg, and ginger in a large bowl. Combine the flour, flax, spices, and salt in a smaller bowl. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture. Stir to combine.
Chill dough in the fridge for about an hour before baking.
Scoop out dough and roll into 1 inch balls. Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Press down slightly on each ball.
Bake for 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees.
Allow to cool slightly before removing from the sheet or they will crack. Place on a cooling rack and cool completely.
My kids thought these were very yummy and they disappeared quickly! I think next time I'd like them a bit spicier. Maybe more ginger or some white pepper would do the trick. Any suggestions??
What is your favorite cookie?
34 comments:
Wow, what a story about molasses. How strange it would be to look on your family history and see someone died from molasses!!
I've never had or made molasses cookies. For some reason I've always thought molasses sounded gross and have never eaten it. Your cookies look so good. I really should break down and buy some molasses already!
How odd! But oh it looks so grand doesn't it...the cookies too.
These cookies are just about the tastiest things I've seen! They look absolutely scrumptious!
Forget the kiddos, chewy molasses cookies for us! :)
Oh my goodness, can you imagine drowning in molasses? wow.
The cookies sound great..I've never made them either.
I haven't met a cookie I didn't like...yet. Now I have my glass of milk ready, it's time for an afternoon snack.
I remember reading about that molasses accident. WHo knew food could be so dangerous, too. hahaha...
I love molasses cookies but, I have never baked them myself. Snicker doodles,never either. However, I love them both equally.
I think I need to get baking too.
i NEED to go out and buy some Molasses... they were sold out in every grocery store in San Diego over the holidays!
these look wonderful :)
-Mini Baker
A molasses disaster? Who knew? That's such an interesting story! I love a good, chewy molasses cookie. We have a recipe that's been in our family for generations, but the cookie is a hard one; you need to dunk it in tea or else you'll hurt yourself. I want to try this one!
I love the distinct, rich, strong flavor of molasses. And I never met a cookie I didn't like! But these delicious looking ones are high on my list!
I've never had molasses cookies but it sure looks delish.Can you send a piece over here?
I love molasses cookies. So good and chewy!
Wow, this was a very intersting post considering my deep interest in history and facts. I can hardly imagine a tidal wave of molasses. I have never made these cookies before..or a snickerdoodle..so better catch up.
LOL, I buy molasses by the gallon, no kidding! I love molasses. I haven't made molasses cookies in for-evah but now that I see your recipe, I'm going to revisit them. So perfect with a steaming cup of tea.
I love molasses cookies - so chewy and perfect with a tall glass of milk. Of course I use molasses any time I make baked beans!
mmmmmm....i'm going to drool over your pictures and pretend i just ate one of those delicious warm cookies with a tall cold glass of milk. sob.
My fathers mothers mother used to make these cookies for use when I was little...I had such an affection for molasses cookies and still do. I have never tried to make them, but yours look just like my memory, and of course Archway cookies are the only ones that make them...not as good as homemade!
Oh I want to bite the screen right now!
Ahhh...memories of my grandparents saying "you're slower than molasses in January!" How in the sweet wacky world of baking have you not made molasses cookies before now? And an even better question...how have you missed out on the buttery goodness of a snickerdoodle?? You didn't take Home Ec in high school did you? It was practically the final exam. I do love a yummy molasses cookie but had never really found the right recipe. So, I'll give this a shot. My Granny would be so proud...
Thanks for sharing the history of molasses :-) And like you I never made molasses cookies as well...well, you had now :-) and they look delicious! Nice pictures as well!
Oh what a cool stroty about molasses! The cookies look so yummie! I want one too! Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!
Very interesting story about molasses and an equally interesting cookie. I am rather intimidated by spicy cookies as I have always bake only the sweet ones. Maybe it's time I try baking spicy and savory ones.
Wow - a molasses tragedy. Sad and terribly luck. From molasses. Sweet molasses.
I have never made these - and they do look scrumptious. Might have to recitfy my oversight.
Your cookies look delicious and I was fascinated with the information about the molasses flood. Today's pictures are wonderful.
oh my!!! bet these were wonderful!
Let me tell YOU a secret. I've never made molasses cookies either. Or snickerdoodles. Molasses cake, yes. Cookies. No.
Need to get on that. Yours look fantastic! Thanks for all the history.
I haven't had the molasses cookies and would love make and try them very soon!
Btw, I'm getting your feed in google reader two days later and I think the same thing might be happening with my blog recently depending on how folks are subscribed to it. The problem seems to be the google reader itself, I'm looking into it.
It is hard for me to imagine that molasses killed people! But those cookies do seem killer:)
the only cookies i've made with molasses is gingerbread, and i love it! as i've gotten older i think i might prefer baked goods made with molasses more then chocolate! crazy, but it's just so good. i'm definitely going to have to try those amazing cookies!
I love molasses cookies - love the way you healthied them up!
Great photos too, so pretty.
Whoa woman!! Those pics. You're my hero! :) xx
Wonderful last photo.. how perfect the cookies look. I love how you always add your own special touches to a recipe!
Your molasses pics are so pretty, Kim!!! And wow, I never knew that story about that molasses accident. Chocolate chip cookies are my #1 cookie fav, but I do love a good molasses cookie too...yours look incredible!
cookies please!!
History and cookies are music to a Boston girl's ears.
Your pics are great! I loved the history lesson and how about we get together soon and you can bring some cookies. You know I just don't have the time to bake with my busy lifestyle (good enough excuse?). Love you!
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