Groundhog Love!
Groundhog Cookies
Elaine Light shares her cookie recipe, which is made all over town around Groundhog Day. Elaine says to keep the dough well chilled!
2 Cups sifted flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. powdered ginger
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 Cup butter, softened
1 Cup sugar
1/2 Cup molasses
1 egg yolk
1 egg, slightly beaten
currants or cut up raisins
Sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cloves and cinnamon. Set aside. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Blend in the molasses and egg yolk. Gradually stir in the flour mixture and mix well. Form into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator.
Preheat oven to 350°. Place small amounts of dough on a sheet of plastic wrap and cover with plastic wrap, leaving the dough you aren't using in the fridge until you need it. Roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out the cookies using a lightly-floured cookie cutter. Place the cookies on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Brush with the slightly beaten egg. Decorate with currant or raisin eyes. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes. Let cool slightly before removing from the cookie sheet.
Prep. time: 12 minutes plus chilling time
Baking time: 8-10 minutes per batch
Yield: 2-3 dozen medium to large cookies