Molasses Crackle Cookies

By cmschnettler

Ingredients

• 1/2cup solid vegetable shortening
• 1/4cup butter
• 1cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/3cup molasses
• 2cups all-purpose flour
• 2teaspoons baking soda
• 1teaspoon salt
• 2teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
• Ice water
• 1/2cup granulated sugar

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350F.
Combine shortening, butter and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg and molasses; beat well. Add flour and baking soda, salt and spices; beat until well combined. Chill at least 1 hour.
Roll dough into walnut-size balls; dip in ice water and then granulated sugar (Dip the balls of dough into cold water then sugar. The sugar sticks to the wet dough in irregular clumps, creating the "dried mud" appearance when the cookies are baked.
Place on baking sheet at least 2 inches apart (cookies will spread). Bake 10 to 15 minutes.