This year I’ve decided to try several new recipes, for the holiday season.  I’ve made Red Velvet Fudge – which is amazing, even if it turned out a little dry.  It was totally the fault of my cooking thermometer though… I think I totally need a new one.

I made some Subway style chocolate chip cookies.  They were really good, and a nice break from my usual recipe.

And thanks to an entire quart of fresh molasses, I also made some Molasses Bars.  They were my favorite dessert so far, until I made these Spiced Molasses Cookies.  The cookies are a family recipe I got from my friend Laci’s mom.  They are amazing.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 tsp. orange peel
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. ginger
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. cloves
• 2 cups flour

Instructions:

1. Cream butter and sugar.
2. Add egg, oil and molasses, mixing well.
3. Mix in orange peel, soda, salt, and spices.
4. Add flour last, mixing just until well blended.
5. Roll into 1-inch balls. – For best results, use a 10ml. food scoop to get equal amounts.  This is about the size of a Mexican Wedding Cookie.
6. Roll balls in sugar and place on parchment lined baking sheet.
7. Flatten cookies with glass.
8. Bake at 350 for about 8 minutes.
9. Take out of oven and allow to cool on pan.

Cookies will be puffy when you take them out, but will flatten. Makes approximately 5 dozen.