Grandma's Dressed Up Molasses Cookies

MAKES: 60 (5 dozen)

COOK TIME: 12 Min

Connie, from Mobile, Alabama was given the original molasses cookies recipe from her Grandma and over the years has tweaked it a bit to be a little more "dressed up." She makes them every year around the holidays!

What You'll Need

1 1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup dark molasses
2 eggs, at room temperature
4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
4 teaspoons baking soda
4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup turbinado sugar
3/4 pound vanilla-flavored coating

What to Do

In a large saucepan, melt shortening over low heat. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Once cooled, add sugar, molasses, and eggs, beating well.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Add dry ingredients to shortening mixture all at once and stir until well combined. Refrigerate until chilled.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper.
Place turbinado sugar in a shallow bowl. Form dough into walnut-sized balls, roll in sugar, and place on prepared baking sheets.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until slightly browned around the edges and slightly soft in the middle. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Melt vanilla-flavored coating according to package directions. Dip cookies halfway into melted chocolate; shake off excess and place on wax paper-lined baking sheets to set.