Nothing like a warm cookie...

Weather today was cold and rainy, then foggy, just hinting at winter. This is the perfect day to bake. The oven adds a bit of heat to the house and the comforting scent of baked goods is well, comforting. Most folks do the bulk of their baking for the holidays, but I have never been able to manage to find the time, so I bake before the holiday season.

I have a few tried & true cookie recipes that are family favorites and today's weather called for a warm, spicy cookie. Sister Marian's Ginger Cookies were a perfect complement paired with either milk or hot tea. The recipe follows:

1-3/4 cubes butter, melted
1-1/2 C. brown sugar, packed
2/3 C. dark molasses
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
2 eggs
Mix & blend all the ingredients in order. Use a large bowl.

Then add the following dry ingredients:
2-1/2 C. white, unbleached flour
1-1/2 C. whole wheat flour
4-1/2 tsp. baking SODA
Mix in completely. The dough will be very stiff.
Cover with wax paper and chill in refrigerator for 1 hour.

Once chilled spoon out dough and roll between your palms into walnut-sized balls. Roll balls in a bowl of white sugar then place on ungreased cookie sheet 2" apart. Bake in preheated 350' oven for 8-9 minutes. Once baked let stand 1-2 minutes before removing cookies from baking sheet to cooling rack. Recipe makes between 80-100 depending on how big you think a walnut-size ball is...