{"id":25281,"date":"2022-02-01T01:10:30","date_gmt":"2022-02-01T05:10:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=25281"},"modified":"2022-01-30T18:35:24","modified_gmt":"2022-01-30T22:35:24","slug":"the-kitchen-witch-41","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2022\/02\/01\/the-kitchen-witch-41\/","title":{"rendered":"The Kitchen Witch"},"content":{"rendered":"

Molasses Crinkles<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

When we think of Valentine\u2019s Day, it\u2019s normal to think of big heart-shaped boxes of chocolates for our loved ones \u2013 \u201csweets for the sweets\u201d \u2013 and who doesn\u2019t love to get one of these beautiful boxes of chocolates \u2013 usually accompanied by a big bouquet of red roses? I mean \u2013 I know I do! <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But \u2013 there are other ways to show how much we care for our loved ones. I personally think a nice home baked spice cookie says a whole lot more \u2013 and who isn\u2019t ready for a spicy night on Valentine’s Day?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Molasses Crinkles is my favorite <\/i>spice cookie. There are dozens of spice cookies out there \u2013 including holiday gingerbread cookies \u2013 but as far as I\u2019m concerned, nothing compares to Molasses Crinkles. They are an old recipe \u2013 they were in the first Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook \u2013 the one that was published way back in 1950. My mother had this cookbook \u2013 I learned to cook with this cookbook. Depending on your age, maybe your mother or your grandmother has this cookbook. They\u2019re not easy to find nowadays. Those of us who have a copy don\u2019t give them away. My copy was my late mother-in-law\u2019s \u2013 none of her daughters or her granddaughters wanted it. I cherish it. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When I was a kid, my mother made these cookies all the time. I liked them, but I preferred Chocolate Chip Cookies or Brownies or really, anything that had chocolate in them. And that is still true \u2013 I am a true chocoholic. But as I have gotten older, I find that I love spice cookies almost as much as the cookies that are partly or wholly chocolate. And definitely \u2013 Molasses Crinkles are among my absolute favorites. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Before you make these cookies, you should know that there are five kinds of molasses \u2013 blackstrap, light, dark (sometimes called medium), treacle and sorghum, which technically is not a molasses. These cookies work best with light or dark\/medium molasses. Because all I had was blackstrap, that\u2019s what I used. The recipe calls for a quarter of a cup and if you\u2019re using blackstrap molasses, you will want to cut that back just a tad \u2013 blackstrap molasses is very strong. But if you like a strong molasses taste, then use the entire quarter of a cup. It\u2019s up to you. But I recommend using a light molasses for these cookies. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the recipe:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Molasses Crinkles<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Cream together: <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00be cup soft shortening (I use butter and \u00be cup is a stick and a half)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1 cup soft light brown sugar (remember to push the sugar into the cup!)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Beat in: 1 egg <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mix in: \u00bc cup molasses<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stir well until everything is well blended.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In another bowl, sift together: <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2 \u00bc cups sifted flour<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2 teaspoons baking soda<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00bc teaspoon salt<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00bd teaspoon ground cloves<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1 teaspoon ground ginger<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well. It may seem a bit difficult, but they will blend! <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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After the dough is completely fused, it has to chill for at least a half an hour or more \u2013 I usually let it chill for two hours at least. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When you are ready to bake these cookies, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190.55 Celsius). Grease your baking sheets well or use parchment paper \u2013 I use parchment paper and personally, I think that\u2019s the only way to go. The cookies never stick and it makes cleaning up wicked easy \u2013 there\u2019s almost no cleaning up whatsoever. Just your mixing bowls and spoons.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You will need a small bowl of white sugar.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Roll the dough into balls the size of walnuts. Dip tops into the sugar and place, sugared-side-up, on the baking sheet. I usually press them down a little bit so they don\u2019t roll around when I put them into the oven. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Bake about ten minutes until just set but not hard. Let them set a minute before you take them off the baking sheet and put them onto the cooling tray. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You always think of cookies and milk but these cookies pair really well with white wine and believe it or not \u2013 with champagne! They also pair really well with fruit \u2013 especially grapes \u2013 also orange sections and apples slices. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

So on Valentine’s Day, whether you are going out to dinner or staying in for an intimate meal with your loved one, try these spicy Molasses Crinkles for your dessert instead of the usual chocolates. If you have a fireplace, you will have a spicy end \u2013 or maybe a beginning \u2013 to a wonderful night!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

*photographs & text \u00a9 polly macdavid 2022<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

**<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

About the Author:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Polly MacDavid<\/b>\u00a0lives in Buffalo, New York at the moment but that could easily change, since she is a gypsy at heart. Like a gypsy, she is attracted to the divinatory arts, as well as camp fires and dancing barefoot. She has three cats who all help her with her magic.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Her philosophy about religion and magic is that it must be thoroughly based in science and logic. She is Dianic Wiccan but she gets along with a few of the masculine deities. She loves to cook and she is a Bills fan. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

She blogs at\u00a0<\/span><\/span>silverapplequeen.wordpress.com<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span>. She writes about general life, politics and poetry. She is writing a novel about sex, drugs and recovery. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Molasses Crinkles When we think of Valentine\u2019s Day, it\u2019s normal to think of big heart-shaped boxes of chocolates for our loved ones \u2013 \u201csweets for the sweets\u201d \u2013 and who doesn\u2019t love to get one of these beautiful boxes of chocolates \u2013 usually accompanied by a big bouquet of red roses? I mean \u2013 I know I do! But \u2013 there are other ways to show how much we care for our loved ones. I personally think a nice home baked spice cookie says a whole lot more \u2013 and who isn\u2019t ready for a spicy night on Valentine’s Day? Molasses Crinkles is my favorite spice cookie. There are dozens of spice cookies out there \u2013 including holiday gingerbread cookies \u2013 but as far as I\u2019m concerned, nothing compares to Molasses Crinkles. They are an old recipe \u2013 they were in the first Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook \u2013 the one that was published way back in 1950. My mother had this cookbook \u2013 I learned to cook with this cookbook. Depending on your age, maybe your mother or your grandmother has this cookbook. They\u2019re not easy to find nowadays. Those of us who have a copy don\u2019t give them away. My copy was my late mother-in-law\u2019s \u2013 none of her daughters or her granddaughters wanted it. I cherish it. When I was a kid, my mother made these cookies all the time. I liked them, but I preferred Chocolate Chip Cookies or Brownies or really, anything that had chocolate in them. And that is still true \u2013 I am a true chocoholic. But as I have gotten older, I find that I love spice cookies almost as much as the cookies that are partly or wholly chocolate. And definitely \u2013 Molasses Crinkles are among my absolute favorites. Before you make these cookies, you should know that there are five kinds of molasses \u2013 blackstrap, light, dark (sometimes called medium), treacle and sorghum, which technically is not a molasses. These cookies work best with light or dark\/medium molasses. Because all I had was blackstrap, that\u2019s what I used. The recipe calls for a quarter of a cup and if you\u2019re using blackstrap molasses, you will want to cut that back just a tad \u2013 blackstrap molasses is very strong. But if you like a strong molasses taste, then use the entire quarter of a cup. It\u2019s up to you. But I recommend using a light molasses for these cookies. Here\u2019s the recipe: Molasses Crinkles Cream together: \u00be cup soft shortening (I use butter and \u00be cup is a stick and a half) 1 cup soft light brown sugar (remember to push the sugar into the cup!) Beat in: 1 egg Mix in: \u00bc cup molasses   Stir well until everything is well blended.   In another bowl, sift together: 2 \u00bc cups sifted flour 2 teaspoons baking soda \u00bc teaspoon salt \u00bd teaspoon ground cloves 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger   Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well. It may seem a bit difficult, but they will blend! After the dough is completely fused, it has to chill for at least a half an hour or more \u2013 I usually let it chill for two hours at least. When you are ready to bake these cookies, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190.55 Celsius). Grease your baking sheets well or use parchment paper \u2013 I use parchment paper and personally, I think that\u2019s the only way to go. The cookies never stick and it makes cleaning up wicked easy \u2013 there\u2019s almost no cleaning up whatsoever. Just your mixing bowls and spoons. You will need a small bowl of white sugar. Roll the dough into balls the size of walnuts. Dip tops into the sugar and place, sugared-side-up, on the baking sheet. I usually press them down a little bit so they don\u2019t roll around when I put them into the oven. Bake about ten minutes until just set but not hard. Let them set a minute before you take them off the baking sheet and put them onto the cooling tray. You always think of cookies and milk but these cookies pair really well with white wine and believe it or not \u2013 with champagne! They also pair really well with fruit \u2013 especially grapes \u2013 also orange sections and apples slices. So on Valentine’s Day, whether you are going out to dinner or staying in for an intimate meal with your loved one, try these spicy Molasses Crinkles for your dessert instead of the usual chocolates. If you have a fireplace, you will have a spicy end \u2013 or maybe a beginning \u2013 to a wonderful night! *photographs & text \u00a9 polly macdavid 2022 ** About the Author: Polly MacDavid\u00a0lives in Buffalo, New York at the moment but that could easily change, since she is a gypsy at heart. Like a gypsy, she is attracted to the divinatory arts, as well as camp fires and dancing barefoot. She has three cats who all help her with her magic. Her philosophy about religion and magic is that it must be thoroughly based in science and logic. She is Dianic Wiccan but she gets along with a few of the masculine deities. She loves to cook and she is a Bills fan. She blogs at\u00a0silverapplequeen.wordpress.com. She writes about general life, politics and poetry. She is writing a novel about sex, drugs and recovery.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":197,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10006],"tags":[10024,13596,10025,10027,11044,10028,10844,13595,10030,11138,10194,10060,10026],"class_list":["post-25281","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-crafting-articles","tag-baking","tag-betty-crocker","tag-cooking","tag-delicious","tag-february","tag-kitchen","tag-love","tag-molasses-crinkles","tag-recipes","tag-valentines-day","tag-witch","tag-witchcraft","tag-yummy"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25281","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/197"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25281"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25281\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25304,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25281\/revisions\/25304"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25281"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25281"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25281"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}