Molasses Crinkles

by Anonymous

When I think about the holidays, I remember the smell of molasses crinkle cookies baking in the kitchen. They were not made every week, but when December came, they always appeared, and they became part of what made the season feel special. The counter would be covered with flour and sugar, and the jar of molasses gave off its deep, sweet smell the moment it was opened. Cinnamon and ginger were always mixed in, adding warmth to the air. That smell was the first sign that the holidays had begun. Before the tree was decorated or the stockings were hung, the scent of molasses crinkles filled the house. It spread into every room, rich and comforting, wrapping the season in something no decoration could match.

Sometimes I helped with the baking. My job was rolling the dough into small balls and dipping them into sugar before setting them on the tray. They were never the same size, and I worried about doing it wrong, but it never mattered. When the cookies came out of the oven, they sparkled with sugar and cracked gently on top. Each one looked like a little holiday treasure, different in shape but full of the same care. We always ate them together at night. The tree lights glowed softly in the corner, music played low in the background, and the plate of cookies sat in the middle of the table. We dunked them in milk or ate them plain, but either way they brought us together. The crinkles were soft and chewy, full of deep molasses flavor, and each bite felt like warmth itself.

Over time, I came to see that these cookies were more than just a treat. They were a tradition, a way of showing love, and a reason to slow down during the busiest season. Baking them was not about perfection; it was about creating a moment where everyone felt close and cared for. Now, whenever I make molasses crinkles, I feel that same comfort return. I see the sugar sparkle, I smell the spices, and I remember the quiet joy of those holiday evenings. These cookies are not only food, they are memory and love baked into every bite, carrying the spirit of family and the season year after year.

Ingredients:

• Shortening
• Brown Sugar
• Egg
• Molasses
• Flour
• Baking Soda
• Salt
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Cloves
• Sugar

Instructions:

Mix thoroughly:

• ¾ cup soft shortening
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup molasses

Sift together and stir in:

• 2¼ cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• ½ teaspoon cloves

1. Chill dough.
2. Make into balls the size of walnuts.
3. Dip tops into sugar and place sugared side up about 3 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
4. Sprinkle tops with 2 or 3 drops of water.
5. Bake at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, until set but not hard.