Melissa's Grandma's Ginger Lace Cookies

If you've ever wondered why our pastry chef Melissa is so good, you need only dig into her family history to realize that she comes from a long line of talented bakers. This recipe from her great-grandmother Formanek dates from the WWI era, hence no butter. These freeze well.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Calories: 114 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 ½ cups shortening
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 tablespoons white sugar, or as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Beat 2 cups sugar, shortening, and molasses together in a bowl using an electric stand mixer until uniform, making sure not to overbeat. Add eggs and mix for 30 seconds.

Step 3

Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt together in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture and mix until just combined and dough is stiff.

Step 4

Pour 2 tablespoons sugar in a shallow bowl. Form cookie dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in sugar, making sure not to flatten. Place on ungreased cookie sheets.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until cookies crackle on top for 'lace' design, 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.