It’s that time of year on the blog, and I’m super happy, if not a little tired. It’s #HousefulOfCookies for the year 2017 and this is the THIRD year of this very fun cookie hop that I host. Usually, we do a recipe a day, but this year, we’re switching it up a bit, and releasing all of the recipes on the same day so you can spend your day shopping via the interwebs and finish by making one, two or all of these recipes. Mine this year happen to be Chewy Molasses Cookies, but I’m embracing my need to be different and naming them Slow As Molasses Cookies, because I can. They do NOT take long to whip up, and I can assure you that you are able to get all of the ingredients in one swoop, and there aren’t any special items that are only available this time of year. Also, before you go any further, some of the products that I used are also linked to affiliate links, which means I may make a nickel, dime, quarter or just a couple of pennies off of your purchase if you choose to buy. 

I wanted a cookie that was chewy and a representation of the flavors of the holidays. Molasses Cookies it was. With a bit of cinnamon, and ginger, and cardamom (if you have it – I cook with it quite often) you’re sure to tickle the fancy of any cookie connoisseur. Bank on it. Basically I also wanted to not make a cookie with chocolate chips or nuts – because I’ve done it the last two years. So here we go. 

You only need two bowls for making molasses cookies; your measuring cups and spoons and a whisk. You don’t even have to take your mixer out unless you want to! I was able to whisk the wet ingredients with my strong muscles all by myself! I had all of the ingredients on hand already, and that gets Mr. Houseful another thumbed nose because he always talks about how I buy things that I’m never going to use. I’m not quite sure why I bought molasses, but I’m glad that I did. 

Before proceeding, make sure you pay attention to the smaller measurements. You do NOT want to add 1/2 a tablespoon of salt to these cookies

Here’s what you’ll need: 

Molasses Cookies 

Yield: 24 cookies

Slow As Molasses Cookies #HousefulOfCookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 23 minutes

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Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup dark molasses
• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• Coarse sanding or raw sugar, for rolling - if you don't have this, you can use regular granulated sugar, but it's way more noticeable on top of the cookie. If that's your jam, go for it.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. While waiting for the oven to heat up, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and salt in a small bowl. In a separate bowl (a larger one) whisk egg, butter, granulated sugar, molasses, and brown sugar.
2. Mix in dry ingredients just to combine.
3. Place sanding/granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop out dough by the tablespoonful (I used this cookie dough scoop) and roll into balls (if dough is sticky, chill 20 minutes). Roll in sugar and place on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 2" apart.
4. Bake cookies, rotating baking sheets halfway through, until cookies are puffed, cracked, and just set around edges (over-baked cookies won't be chewy), 8–10 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and let cool.

So, there’s some murmuring going on around the web that these are the same as ginger snaps, and they are not. These aren’t baked as long, and for a true ginger snap, it needs to be crispy, these are chewy – and they stay chewy for several days. I serve them up with a glass of ice cold milk, while Mr. Houseful enjoys a SMALL glass of eggnog. Whatever you choose to drink, just make sure you pair it well. These come out perfectly puffed, with cracks that show off the sugared top quite nicely. I let Mor Mor Baby try one and she immediately called them gingersnaps until taking a bite. My brother Gabriel tried one too – but he’s such a young person that his palate couldn’t appreciate it. Early thirty year old folks. I don’t understand them. I’m so glad I’m seven years removed. 

Now for your cookie baking pleasure, here is the COMPLETE list of this year’s Houseful Of Cookies Cookie Hop! There’s some good stuff here, and I just know that you’ll be the talk of your cookie swap choosing one of these recipes. The names alone will win you some sort of award. I’m just saying. 

Houseful Of Nicholes – Slow As Molasses Cookies

A Crafty Spoonful – Chocolate Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies

A Real Urban Mom – Chocolate Chip Cookies

Big Green Pen – Holiday Cookies 

Dash Of Evans – Cranberry Hootycreeks

Divas With A Purpose – White Chocolate Suprise Cookies

Everyday Party Magazine – Simple Caramel Cream Sugar Cookies Swirls

Good Girl Gone Redneck – Perfect Holiday Saltine Toffee Treat

Happily Homegrown – Old Fashioned Hermit Bar Cookies

Her Life On Purpose – Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

Honest & Truly! – Triple Chocolate Dipped Cookie

I am the Maven® – Moldy Mice Cookies

Keep Calm & Teach Fifth Grade – Winter Wonderland Sugar Cookies 

Kiss My Tulle – Chunky Christmas Cookies

Mom On The Side – Hopscotch Crunchies Holiday Cookies

Mom The Magnificent – Dark Chocolate Peppermint Dipped Cookies 

More Than Thursdays – Mint Surprise Sugar Cookies 

Our Crafty Mom – Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies 

Peyton’s Momma – Chocolate Covered Christmas Trees             

Simplify Live Love – Double Chocolate Pomegranate Cookies

Teachable Mommy – 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

The Olive Blogger – Gingerbread Biscotti

We’re Parents – Cranberry Cheesecake Cookies   

Please visit all of the blogs as they’ve worked really hard to participate in the blog hop, and I appreciate them not leaving me alone this year! Until next year, I bid you happy baking!