The idea for Dipped Molasses Cookies came during a cruise to Alaska. Alaska Airlines served them on our flight to the port, and then I saw them again in Alaskan shops. When we came back from the trip I put together this recipe.
Shortening gives these cookies a dense and chewy texture and all the spices ensure loads of flavor. For the dip, I used some almond bark I found in the pantry – nothing fancy, but it tasted good and looked pretty. I think I’m going to dip cookies more often.
Tip: If you have a scale, you can weigh the shortening. It’s more accurate than trying to cram it into a measuring cup and less messy. Shortening weighs less than butter, though. I use the weight on the label which is 12 grams for every tablespoon or about 96 grams/3.4 oz per 1/2 cup.
Dipped Molasses Cookies
2 cups (9 oz) all-purpose flour, weigh or sift before measuring
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cloves
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (5.1 oz/144 grams) shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 large egg
“Bark” or other white melting chocolate, melted
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or non-stick foil.
In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt; set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or in a large mixing bowl using a hand-held electric mixer, beat the shortening and sugar until well mixed. Beat in the molasses. Add the egg and beat on low speed just until mixed. By hand or using lowest speed of the mixer, stir in the flour mixture.
At this point you can chill the dough or go ahead and begin shaping. I did not chill the dough. Divide the dough into 32 even pieces and shape into balls. Arrange the balls about 2 ½ inches apart on the baking sheets and press down slightly to make rounds. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until they appear set. Let cool on a wire rack. When completely cool, dip in melted coating.
Makes 32
Monique (@AmbitiousKitch) says
August 29, 2011 at 4:57 pmI love molasses cookies. I made whoopie pies out of them once. They were yummy!
[email protected] Caramel Cookie says
August 19, 2011 at 10:25 amYum! I love molasses cookies!
d.liff @ yelleBELLYboo says
August 17, 2011 at 12:31 pmThese are super cute! I love ANYTHING dipped in white chocolate! I’m totally scared of baking with shortening though…
KAnn says
August 17, 2011 at 1:43 amJust realized that my recipe uses brown sugar.
KAnn says
August 17, 2011 at 1:42 amMy family recipe uses shortening, too….I think they are very similar if not identical and I just love these!! (I have never dipped mine, though.)
Gloria says
August 16, 2011 at 11:10 pmLove molasses and ginger type cookies dipped in milk. These look like a version of that! Yum!!
Katrina says
August 16, 2011 at 8:45 pmOh hey, thanks for the link. I didn’t realize it led to my blog until I saw I was getting a bunch of views on that cookie in my analytics.
Sorry you didn’t have the cookie-baking pilot on your Alaskan Flight.
Katrina says
August 16, 2011 at 6:44 pmThere is a new show on FN called Tough Cookies. It is about Crazy Susan and her very New Jersey/Italian family and their cookie business on the boardwalk called Crazy Susan’s Cookies. I’m Italian and maybe that’s why I like watching it, well, besides that it always involves cookies. What I was going to say was that a lot of her cookies (all regular kind, cc, etc) are half dipped in chocolate. Maybe it’s a trend. 😉
Jennie says
August 16, 2011 at 5:59 pmI want one! Your picture made me instantly crave a molasses cookie! Guess I better get baking! 🙂
michelle says
August 16, 2011 at 3:27 pmHey Anna,
I made dipped gingersnaps like this last year for the holidays but to make them extra special I sprinkled edible glitter on the almond bark. Easy and beautiful, just make sure to put on the glitter before the bark firms up. Glad you had a great time on your alaska cruise! We are planning the same trip (maybe on a disney cruise ship) so I will look forward to more posts about your trip. Thanks! Michelle
Sue says
August 16, 2011 at 2:58 pmThey look great! I like the tan and white neutral look.