Soft Molasses Spice Cookies

The description in the Robin Hood Cookbook where this recipe came from was that in 1880 a young man would take his sweetheart to the restaurant and offer her the usual treat: spruce beer and molasses hands - so called because handfulls of cookie dough were put on sheets to bake.

• Ready In: 2 hrs
• Yields: 54 cookies

Ingredients

• 5 1⁄2 cups flour
• 2  teaspoons baking soda
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 1  teaspoon ginger
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1  teaspoon clove
• 1  teaspoon nutmeg
• 1  cup brown sugar, packed
• 3⁄4 cup  vegetable oil
• 1 1⁄2 cups molasses
• 3⁄4 cup milk
• 1  teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Combine flour, soda, salt and spices in a bowl and mix well to blend.
2. Combine sugar, oil, molasses, milk and vanilla in a large bowl.
3. Mix thoroughly.
4. Add flour mixture gradually.
5. Mix well.
6. Chill 1 hour or until firm.
7. Roll out portions of dough on lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness.
8. Cut with a floured 2 1/2" cookie cutter or your favourite shaped cookie cutters.
9. Place on greased cookie sheet.
10. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes.
11. When cool store in tightly covered metal container.
12. Prep time includes chilling time.