Merry Molasses Cookies

 

1

cup granulated sugar

1/2

cup shortening

4

cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1

cup full-flavor (dark) molasses

1/2

cup water

1 1/2

teaspoons salt

1

teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2

teaspoons ground ginger

1/2

teaspoon ground cloves

1/2

teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4

teaspoon ground allspice

3

cups powdered sugar

1/3

cup butter or margarine, softened

1/2

teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 1/2

teaspoons vanilla

2

to 3 tablespoons milk

• 1 In large bowl, beat granulated sugar and shortening with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in remaining cookie ingredients. Cover; refrigerate dough at least 3 hours or until firm.
• 2 Heat oven to 375°F. Generously grease cookie sheet with shortening or cooking spray. On generously floured cloth-covered surface, roll half of dough at a time to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with 3-inch round cookie cutter. Place about 1 1/2 inches apart on cookie sheets.
• 3 Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when touched lightly in center. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• 4 In small bowl, mix glaze ingredients until smooth. Spread on cooled cookies.