Molasses Crinkles

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons baking soda 
• 1 cup brown sugar dark packed
• 1 large eggs 
• 2.3 cups flour all-purpose
• 0.3 cup granulated sugar for tops of cookies
• 0.5 teaspoon ground allspice 
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves 
• 0.8 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 0.5 cup blackstrap molasses (not robust or blackstrap)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt 
• 0.3 cup butter unsalted softened
• 0.5 cup vegetable shortening at room temperature

Equipment

• bowl
• baking sheet
• oven
• whisk
• hand mixer
• stand mixer
• wax paper

Directions

1. Whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, and salt in a bowl until combined.
2. Beat together shortening, butter, and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes in a stand mixer (preferably fitted with paddle attachment) or 6 minutes with a handheld.
3. Add egg and molasses, beating until combined. Reduce speed to low, then mix in flour mixture until combined.
4. Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 375°F.
5. Roll 1 heaping teaspoon of dough into a 1-inch ball with wet hands, then dip 1 end of ball in sanding sugar. Make more cookies in same manner, arranging them, sugared side up, 2 inches apart on 2 ungreased baking sheets.
6. Bake cookies, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until undersides are golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes total, then cool on sheets 1 minute.
7. Transfer to racks to cool completely. Make more cookies with remaining dough on cooled baking sheets.
8. *Available at Sweet Celebrations (800328-6722).
9. Cookies keep, layered between sheets of wax paper or parchment, in an airtight container at room temperature 2 weeks.