Molasses Cut Out Cookies

Recipe from Grandma Carol Lillehaugen – a family favorite at Christmastime

1 cup molasses

¾ cup butter

1 cup sugar

4 ¼ cups sifted flour

½ tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp ginger

1 tsp baking soda

2 eggs (beaten)

½ tsp vanilla

In saucepan, bring margarine, sugar and molasses to a quick boil. Cook about 5 minutes stirring constantly.  Cool.  Stir in sifted flour, baking soda, salt and spices.  Then add the two eggs (beaten) and vanilla.  Mix well and chill completely.  On a lightly floured board, roll dough very thin and cut with cookie cutters.  Bake 8 minutes in a 350^o oven.  Cool and frost if desired.  This makes about 6 dozen. These store very well in the refrigerator (or garage or porch in Minnesota in winter!)

Frosting:

6 Tbsp. butter (butter really is better than margarine for this)

3 cups powdered sugar

¾ tsp vanilla extract

3+ Tbsp half and half cream (I usually just use milk)

Food coloring

Colored sugar, red hots etc. (optional)

Cream butter, sugar, vanilla, and enough cream to achieve spreading consistency. Add food coloring to desired color.  Spread on cookies, garnish with red hots etc.

For this recipe of cookies, you may need 1 and ½ batches of frosting.

Molasses Cut Out Cookies - A Lillehaugen Family Favorite!