Holiday Nesting

While my political side is full blaze, my holiday nesting is also in full swing. I have been hoarding recipes and holiday craft ideas and party ideas. Ahhh...for next year. Hard to have a party when you don't even have a sofa.

So here is a little holiday cookie tip to share with you:
http://food.realsimple.com/realsimple/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1108296

Molasses Cookies
From Cooking Light Magazine View Cooking Light Menu

This classic spice cookie is about as quick to shape as it is to eat.

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable shortening object
1/2 cup molasses
1 large egg object
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (about 10 ounces)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water object
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Cooking spray

Combine brown sugar and shortening in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses and egg; beat well. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (through salt), stirring with a whisk. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture; beat at low speed just until blended. Cover and freeze 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375°.

Place water in a small bowl. Place granulated sugar in another small bowl. Lightly coat hands with cooking spray. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Dip one side of each ball in water; dip wet side in sugar. Place balls, sugar side up, 1 inch apart, on baking sheets coated with cooking spray.
Bake at 375° for 8 minutes.
Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.
Yield: 4 dozen (serving size: 1 cookie)


NUTRITION PER SERVINGCALORIES 66(27% from fat); FAT 2g (sat 0.5g,mono 0.7g,poly 0.5g); PROTEIN 0.7g; CHOLESTEROL 4mg; CALCIUM 12mg; SODIUM 67mg; FIBER 0.2g; IRON 0.5mg; CARBOHYDRATE 11.8g


Cooking Light, OCTOBER 2005