Eat In Recipe: Molasses Cookies with Mint Frosting

I have fond memories of making molasses cookies with my grandma on New Year’s Eve and eating them while watching the fireworks over Honolulu from her window.  Hers are the only molasses cookies I can ever remember eating and I love the soft, gingerbread-like cookie domes topped with sweet, minty icing.  As I think of it, it almost seems like an odd combination, but I love it. The mint is a cool, sweet flavor that nicely contrasts the spices from the cookie. 

I really didn’t know how my kids would react to the cookies since they are a bit different, but they gobbled them up and fought over the last few.  We took some over to share with friends and those kids loved them, too.  So I guess it’s not just my nostalgic, sentimental palate that loves these cookies.  Amazing Diner has been begging me weekly to make these again. 

Molasses Cookies with Mint Frosting
1/2 c. melted shortening
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. molasses
2 eggs
3 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. boiling water

Frosting:
1 c. powdered sugar
1 T. milk
1/2 tsp. mint extract
2-3 drops red or green food coloring

1. Mix shortening, sugar, molasses, & eggs until well combined.
2. Add flour, baking soda, & spices.  Mix until well combined.
3. Add boiling water and mix until incorporated.
4. Drop dough in small mounds on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees until firm, about 12 minutes.
5. While baking make frosting by mixing powdered sugar and milk until smooth.  Then add mint extract and food coloring and mix until well blended.
6. Remove cookies to a cooling rack.  May be frosted while still warm.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Average Fork Rating:  4.8
Mrs. Diner:  4
Amazing Diner:  5
Sweet Diner:  5
Little Diner:  5