Molasses Cookies

I have a new favorite cookie. At first I was stumped on why you dip the rolled dough in water before rolling it in sugar, but that makes the sugar really clump up and stick on, and then when you bake them, the cookies almost have a candy coating on them. SO GOOD.

Yield: 4 dozen (serving size: 1 cookie)
Ingredients:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup molasses
1 large egg
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (about 10 ounces)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup granulated sugar 

Cooking spray 

 

Preparation:
1. Combine brown sugar and shortening in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses and egg; beat well. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (through salt), stirring with a whisk. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture; beat at low speed just until blended. Cover and freeze 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 375°.
3. Place water in a small bowl. Place granulated sugar in another small bowl. Lightly coat hands with cooking spray. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Dip one side of each ball in water; dip wet side in sugar. Place balls, sugar side up, 1 inch apart, on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 8 minutes. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.

Nutritional Information:

Calories: 66
Calories from fat: 27%
Fat: 2g
Saturated fat: 0.5g
Monounsaturated fat: 0.7g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.5g
Protein: 0.7g
Carbohydrate: 11.8g
Fiber: 0.2g
Cholesterol: 4mg
Iron: 0.5mg
Sodium: 67mg
Calcium: 12mg