Pumpkin-Molasses Cookies

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Servings: 36
Yield: 36 servings

Description

Molasses, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice add festive fall flavor to these chewy cookies that are certain to be a family favorite for the holidays.

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter-flavored shortening
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar, divided
1/4 cup molasses
1 large egg, beaten
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Directions

1 Slowly melt shortening in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature, 5 to 10 minutes.
2 Combine cooled shortening with brown sugar, 1/2 cup white sugar, molasses, and egg; mix well.
3 Mix flour, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl until well blended. Add to the moist ingredients and use your hands to gently push the mixture together, similar to kneading. Dough will be quite crumbly; do not add any liquids. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.
4 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets with butter. Place remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a small, shallow bowl.
5 Work about 1 tablespoon chilled dough at a time and roll into a ball. Lightly roll balls into sugar to coat and place on the prepared baking sheets.
6 Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden, about 9 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet briefly before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.