Name: Classic Aunt Sally (Or Sally Ann) Cookies
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 48 cookies, 36 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 cup shortening (not butter); 2 eggs; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup molasses; 1 cup buttermilk; 5 1/2 cups flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 4 teaspoons baking soda; 1 tablespoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon clove; 1 tablespoon ginger; 1 (1/4 ounce) envelope plain gelatin; 4 cups powdered sugar; 3/4 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1 cup cold water

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Recipe by norsecookie

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These are wonderful not-too-sweet gingerbread-like cookies. The icing sets up like royal, except it is soft inside the hardened shell. They freeze great, and are terrific for gift-giving, as they package beautifully. I make them for Halloween in the shape of bats and covered with orange sprinkles and for thanksgiving as leaves with no sprinkles.

Ready In:: 1hr 30mins
Serves:
Yields:
Units:

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ingredients

1 cup shortening (not butter)
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
1 cup buttermilk
5 ¹⁄₂ cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon cinnamon
¹⁄₄ teaspoon nutmeg
¹⁄₂ teaspoon clove
1 tablespoon ginger
Icing
1 (1/4 ounce) envelope plain gelatin
4 cups powdered sugar
³⁄₄ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup cold water

directions

Cream shortening and sugar, add molasses and eggs and buttermilk.
Mix dry ingredients thoroughly, then add to creamed mixture.
Refrigerate for an hour or so, until slightly firm.
Roll out at about 1/4" (thicker for more cakelike cookies, thinner for crispier ones - they're good both ways).
Cut out (traditionally with a SPAM can, but to each her own).
Bake at 325 for about 12-15 minutes.
When cookies are cool, whip up the icing.
In saucepan, dissolve gelatin in cold water.
Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes.
While simmering, add 3 C powdered sugar to a large straight-sided bowl and measure in soda. Stir.
Pour hot liquid into sugar mixture and whisk. Add vanilla. Lumps are not good.
If 3 C of powdered sugar is enough to produce a almost-set pudding-like icing, it is read. If it seems thin, add another cup and whisk inches.
Take cooled cookies and dip the tops into the icing, wiping off excess on side of bowl.
Set on wax paper until icing is hard.

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RECIPE MADE WITH LOVE BY

@norsecookie

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@norsecookie

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"These are wonderful not-too-sweet gingerbread-like cookies. The icing sets up like royal, except it is soft inside the hardened shell. They freeze great, and are terrific for gift-giving, as they package beautifully. I make them for Halloween in the shape of bats and covered with orange sprinkles and for thanksgiving as leaves with no sprinkles."

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review by Betty A.

12/16/2020

The icing recipe calls for baking powder. Then you get to the instructions and it is listed as baking soda? Help...and thank you!

Replies 1
review by arleneHHS68

6/14/2010

No. The cookie is fine--but the cookie is the easy part. I don't know whose Aunt Sally you shared cookies with but it wasn't the Aunt Sally I grew up with! Try another frosting recipe. I used a lot of powdered sugar to find out is wasn't right. Thank goodness I only frosted one cookie.

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creation by norsecookie

11/8/2008

These are wonderful not-too-sweet gingerbread-like cookies. The icing sets up like royal, except it is soft inside the hardened shell. They freeze great, and are terrific for gift-giving, as they package beautifully. I make them for Halloween in the shape of bats and covered with orange sprinkles and for thanksgiving as leaves with no sprinkles.