Molasses Crinkles

With the weather being so cold and nasty, I got the hankering for something comforting and molasses cookies fit the ticket.  These are cookies that most people make around Christmas time.  Some are baked to a crispy crunch but I like mine soft and chewy.  I've been experimenting with turbinado sugar or sugar in the raw as a pretty garnish to my baked goods.  Turbinado sugar is a natural, coarse brown sugar which is just partially refined, unlike regular brown sugar which is refined sugar with molasses added.  Good coffee shops usually offer turbinado sugar as an alternative to regular sugar for coffee or tea.  I sprinkled a liberal amount of it on the last muffins I baked and liked it so much that I rolled these cookies in it before baking.  They came out with a bakery shop look and taste with a touch of sparkle.

Molasses Crinkles

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. shortening

1 1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. molasses

2 beaten eggs

4 c. flour

1/2 t. salt

2 t. baking soda

2 t. ginger

1 1/2 t. cloves

1 1/2 t. cinnamon

Turbinado sugar for tops

Cream butter, shortening and sugar till fluffy.  Beat in molasses and eggs.  Meanwhile sift dry ingredients in small bowl.  Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet until blended.  Roll dough into balls and dip in raw sugar.  Bake on greased cookie sheets at 350 for 11 minutes.  Do not overbake.  Store in tightly covered container.