When we were growing up, my mom used to bake cookies for us. Mainly, it was these - molasses softies, chocolate crinkles (repost coming tomorrow) and peanut butter cookies (probably coming soon). Since she was diagnosed with Celiac (something like seven years ago? Ma?) she no longer bakes, unless it's from a mix. That I know of. My sister Dana and I are terribly sad about this, because our mom is a great baker. A while ago Dana sent me a copy of Mom's molasses softies recipe. I don't think I've attempted it since going gluten-free, being a little intimidated when I first started baking by cookie failures. Now, this recipe is a piece of cake. And it doesn't even need to sit in the fridge before you bake it! This recipe can probably be halved, and I bet you could make it vegan if you used only shortening, and replaced the egg with something else. 
Moms Molasses Softies
1/2 c butter (or, 1 c butter and no shortening)
1/2 c shortening
1 1/3 c sugar
1 egg
1/3 c molasses
3 T corn syrup
2 T milk (I used soy)
4 c rice flour mix
2 t baing soda
2 t ground cinnamon
2 t ground ginger
1 1/2 t ground cloves
3/4 t xanthan gum
1/2 t baking powder
more sugar
Preheat oven to 375. In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar and egg until fluffy. Beat in molasses, corn syrup, and milk until blended. Add remaining ingredients except for more sugar. Mix until combined. Roll dough into 1 1/2" balls, then roll in sugar. Place 3" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes, then cool on pan for 1-2 minutes, then remove to racks and cool completely. Makes something like four dozen cookies.
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