Molasses Filled Cookies

 

Serves: 36

Aunt Edna Cushing's Recipe

 

Filling for Cookies:                                       

¾ cup sugar                                                

2 tablespoons flour                                            

1½ cups ground raisins                                      

¾ cup water                                                  

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract                                      

 

Cookie Dough:                                                   

½ cup sugar                                                  

1 egg                                                          

½ cup molasses                                                

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract                                

½ teaspoon salt                                              

2 teaspoons baking soda                                        

1/3 cup vegetable shortening                                   

1/3 cup of hot water                                              

4 cups flour                                                   

 

Filling:  Cook until thickens - keep stirring and watch carefully so it doesn't burn.  Let cool and then add 1 tsp. vanilla.

 

In a large bowl mix sugar, egg, molasses, vanilla, salt and baking soda.  In another bowl mix shortening with water until melted.  Add to large bowl mixture.

 

Starting with 4 cups of flour, mix a little at a time until three cups of flour is mixed.  Turn onto a heavily floured counter/board and continue adding flour until mixture isn't sticky and able to cut and pick up with a spatula to transfer cut pieces to a cookie sheet.

 

Divide dough into smaller quantity (maybe 4 balls).  Roll dough out onto heavily floured board until it’s about 1/8" thick.  Add flour as necessary by sprinkling over the rolled dough and also the rolling pin. 

 

Cut with round doughnut cutter.

 

Place on cookie sheet, spoon 1 FULL tsp. of filling into center of each cookie, place another cookie on top and press about four places around the edge to close.

 

Bake at 350º for 10-12 minutes on greased cooking sheet.