1 cup dark molasses
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 cup vegetable shortening
1 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup water, divided
2 teaspoons baking soda
Confectioner’ sugar, for garnish
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 baking pans or line the pans with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large bowl cream the molasses, brown sugar, and shortening. Add the salt, egg, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the flour alternately with ¾ cup of the water. In a small bowl combine the baking soda and the remaining ¼ cup water. Add to the batter.
Drop by tablespoonsful onto prepared pans and bake about 15 minutes. Dust with confectioners’ sugar while still warm.
Makes 5 to 6 dozen cookies
Judy Sausto, Dame Judy
Dames with a Par-Tea Hat-titude,
Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey