Wake Up Call

Nothing beats waking up to wonderful aromas emanating from the kitchen. Imagine a thin white vapor trailing gracefully in the air – beginning in the kitchen and then making its way slowly through the house, weaving through each room and arriving at a sleepy head. The vapor forms itself into a finger and stretches ever so carefully to

tap..

tap..

tap..

on the sleepy head’s nose. “Wake up, wake up! There is something delicious being prepared for you in the kitchen”, announces the vapor.

Sleepy head reluctantly crawls out of bed, half asleep. As he makes his way downstairs, he is greeted with a “good morning” and a plate of warm cookies, fresh out of the oven.

It is ok to have cookies for breakfast, isn’t it?

We like to think so.

Oh how I love the smell of cookies baking in the oven. Who isn’t filled with joy when tempted by the penetrating aroma of rich and spicy molasses cookies? It really is a wonderful way to start a new day!

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Soft Molasses Cookies

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

3 teaspoons ginger

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup shortening

1 cup light brown sugar – firmly packed and sifted

2 eggs – well beaten

3/4 cup molasses

3/4 cup sour milk (see below)

white vinegar

granulated sugar

1. Sift the flour with the baking soda, ginger and salt.

2. Cream shortening, gradually add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.

3. Blend in the well beaten eggs. Add molasses and continue to beat.

4. Alternately add the dry ingredients with the milk, beating until smooth after each addition.

5. Chill dough in refrigerator several hours, or overnight.

6. Turn onto floured surface. Roll to 1/4 inch thickness and cut with scalloped cookie or biscuit cutter. Sprinkle with granulated sugar.

7. Place on greased baking sheet. Bake for 10-11 minutes.

This recipe yields about 3 dozen, 3-inch cookies.

SOUR MILK: Add 4 teaspoons of white vinegar to the measuring cup first. Add the milk to the same measuring cup to bring the volume to 3/4 cup.