Molasses Gingerbread Cookies

This recipe hails from a 100 year old recipe I picked up at the Arizona 150th Settlement Anniversary held at Pioneer Village and, being that my home currently looks like a gingerbread house, these seem fitting.


1/2 c butter (1 stick), softened
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c molasses
1 egg
1 t baking soda
1/2 c sour milk*
2 1/2 c flour, sifted
1 1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t cloves
1/2 t ginger
1/2 t salt

Preheat oven to 350° and grease baking sheet. In large bowl, mix sifted flour, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and salt and set aside. Cream butter and sugar and add molasses, then egg. Dissolve baking soda in sour milk, then alternately add milk and dry ingredients to creamed sugar and butter.

Drop by teaspoon onto greased baking sheet and bake 12 to 15 minutes or until edges are just browned. Remove immediately to rack to cool completely. Makes 4 dozen.

*Chef's Note: Sour milk is prepared by adding 2 t apple cider vinegar to 1 c milk; adjust per recipe.