Spice-of-Life Cookies

Spice-of-Life Cookies





2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tsp ground ginger

1 1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/8 tsp freshly ground nutmeg

1/4 cup solid vegetable shortening

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

1/4 cup molasses

1/4 tsp very finely minced lemon zest





Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter 2 cookie sheets.



Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg. Set aside.



In a large mixing bowl, cream the shortening, butter, and sugar until very light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in the egg, molasses and lemon zest until well combined. Stir in the flour mixture until well combined, with no traces of flour visible.



Using a 1 tablespoon scoop, measure the cookies onto the cookie sheets, keeping them 2 inches apart. Do not attempt to make more than one dozen per sheet.



Bake the batches one at a time, just until the cookies have puffed and flattened and have a crinkly surface, 9 to 12 minutes per batch. Cool the cookies for 1 minute before removing to racks.



Cool the cookies completely on racks.



Makes 32 Cookies



From "Chopping Spree" by Diane Mott Davidson

via Recipe Secrets Forum - Copycat Restaurant Recipes http://www.recipesecrets.net/forums/recipe-exchange/51075-spice-life-cookies.html