Cookies are synonymous with the holiday season. The Pinterest boards are teeming with lots of yummy looking confections, inspiring us all to expand our horizons and try new things. I have tried a few new recipes this year, and yes, I did find them on a board. And ... they were yummy; a sugar shortbread kind of icebox cookie with pistachios, dried cranberries and even white chocolate folded into the mix. I can't wait to get the reviews once the big and little fingers of my family members have dug into my seasonal treats later this month.

But Christmas is also about the familiar ... and even the tried and true. In Home for Christmas, Savannah Wentworth has many fond memories of hours spent in the kitchen, baking Christmas cookies with her mom. She is determined to continue the tradition and is not only baking for Austin's colleagues and associates but for neighbors as well. Several times throughout the text, you will see particular references to molasses cookies. Yes, there is a reason. My family -- my boys, actually--love molasses cookies. In particular, they love giant molasses cookies.

I'm baking tonight -- a little behind on my list of requested and expected treats, but determined to get caught up soon! And while I'm duly inspired by the new, I'm sticking with tradition tonight and baking Savannah's Giant Molasses Cookies. I thought you might want to view this recipe ... perhaps even try them as well. They are robust with the flavors of the season and a favorite of all Savannah's friends; literal and fictional, of course.

Savannah's Giant Molasses Cookies

1 1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg, plus an egg yolk
1/2 cup full flavored molasses
4 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves
1/3 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (or more) of coarse sanding sugar

Directions

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and molasses. In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients, including spices. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.

Shape dough into 2-inch balls and roll in coarse sanding sugar.

Bake in a 350-degree oven for 13-15 minutes or until set. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before removing them to a rack to cool completely.



Home For Christmas

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Read Chapter 1