Old-Fashioned Molasses Crinkles

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4-1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or dried chipotle powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup grandma's molasses
• granulated sugar

Directions

1. 1

   Whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, pepper, and salt in a bowl until combined.

2. 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. Add egg and molasses, beating until combined. Reduce speed to low, then mix in flour mixture until combined.

3. 3

   Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat to 375°F.

4. 4

   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 two ungreased baking sheets.

5. 5

   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. Transfer to racks to cool completely.