Moravian Spice Crisps

by LladyRusty 12/6/2001 11:52 pm

Source: Good Housekeeping

NOTE: Moravians, members of a Protestant religious group, have been rolling out ultra-thin, spice cookies since they settled in Winston-Salem, NC, in the 1700s. Our recipe is a close replica of those delicate cookies but without the rolling!

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons margarine or butter, softened
1/4 cup mild molasses

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease large cookie sheet.

In large bowl, combine first 8 ingredients; set aside.

In another large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat brown sugar with margarine or butter until blended. Increase speed to high; beat until creamy, about 2 minutes. At medium speed, beat in molasses until blended. With spoon, stir in flour mixture.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoons, about 4 inches apart, onto cookie sheet. With finger, press each into a 2-inch round. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until cookies spread and darken. Let cookies remain on cookie sheet on wire rack 3 minutes to cool slightly. With pancake turner, remove cookies to wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough. Store cookies in tightly covered container.