Mrs. Ekoff's Molasses Cookies

Mrs. Ekoff was an older woman who attended my childhood Methodist Church with her husband during the 1960s and early 1970s. Everyone young and old called them Mr. and Mrs. Ekoff. My Granny Mitchell called her "Miz Ekoff" and always sat next to her in church. Although they didn’t talk much, they really liked each other. Mrs. Ekoff was often called on to "lead us in prayer" because she prayed the most articulate and meaningful (and not too long!) prayers. She was kind, warm, and gracious. Everyone fought over her molasses cookies, which she brought to our “church suppers”. I recently found the recipe in our old church cookbook and made it with the addition of ginger and vanilla for my granddaughters. They were delicious - buttery and chewy with slightly crisp edges and fragrant with molasses and ginger. I have included the original recipe and instructions as well as my adaptation of both. I love her simple directions!

Mrs. Ekoff’s Molasses Cookies

Original recipe:
1/4 cup sorghum or honey
1 cup sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup shortening
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Mix together and chill dough. Form in small balls. Roll in sugar if desired. Bake in moderate oven 8-10 minutes.

My adapted version:
6 tablespoons shortening
6 tablespoons salted butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups unbleached flour
2 teaspoons soda
Scant 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
heaping 1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Cream shortening and butter until smooth, add sugar and mix. Add egg, vanilla, and molasses and mix until light. Whisk together flour, soda, salt, and spices; add gradually to batter. Form in small balls. Roll in sugar if desired. Bake in 350 oven 8-10 minutes.