Cookie Exchange!

I was so excited when I saw that Jessica was planning on doing this cookie exchange! What a great idea. Seeing as how we live in the South, I decided to pick a recipe that is very "Southern"...Molasses cookies! Also, if I get time this afternoon, I'm going to come back and post my great-grandmother's teacake recipe. Also a very Southern cookie treat! Hope you enjoy these! They are great cookies for cookie cutters.

OLD FASHIONED MOLASSES COOKIES

1 cup sugar
1 cup shortening
2 cups molasses
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking soda
6 cups flour (or more)

Cream together sugar and shortening, add molasses, vanilla, sour cream, slightly beaten egg and spices. Dissolve baking soda in just enough hot water to mix; add to dough.

Stir in enough flour to make a soft dough, stirring just until combined.

Cover bowl and set dough aside for one hour in a cool place.

After 1 hour, roll dough out 1/4-inch thick, or slightly thicker, and cut with a large round cutter dipped into flour or cocoa before each cut. (Note: For fancy cutouts, add a little more flour to make a stiffer dough, making dough easier to handle).

Lift cut-out cookies gently with a spatula to a greased cookie sheet.

Bake in a preheated 350°F for about 15 minutes or until done.

Cookies should be soft inside.