Grans Moravian White Christmas Cookies Recipes

MORAVIAN MOLASSES COOKIES

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter and molasses. Heat until brown sugar is dissolved.
• Dissolve the baking soda in the boiling water and stir into the molasses mixture. The mixture will bubble up. Remove from heat.
• Sift the flour and spices together and gradually add to the saucepan, stirring with a wooden spoon until well incorporated. Form the dough into a rectangle, wrap and let set overnight in refrigerator.
• The next day, remove from fridge and allow to soften, until easy to roll, about 15 minutes.
• Pre-heat oven to 275 degrees F. and line baking sheets with parchment or silpat baking sheets.
• On a floured board, roll small pieces of dough as thin as possible. (dough should be thin enough to see one's hand through it.) Cut with cookie cutter and set 1" apart on baking sheets.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool on baking sheets for 2-3 minutes before transferring to wire racks to finish cooling.

MORAVIAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Steps:

• Sift flour, cinnamon, and ginger together in a large bowl. Add sugar and mix well. Work lard and butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender.
• Combine vinegar and baking soda in a small bowl; mix to dissolve. Add mixture to the flour mixture in the bowl. Add molasses and mix thoroughly. Place dough in the refrigerator until chilled, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Roll dough out very thin on a floured surface. Cut into shapes using fancy cookie cutters.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

MORAVIAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Steps:

• Combine molasses, sugar, lard and soda dissolved in 2 tablespoons hot water over low heat. Melt and cool.
• Add orange extract. Gradually add flour sifted with spices.
• Dough should be firm.
• Mix and knead thoroughly.
• Cover well and set in cool place to ripen.
• Roll small amounts of dough to 1/16" - 1/8" thick on a well floured board.
• Cut into shapes with floured cutters. Use old-fashioned cookie cutters for added interest.
• Place on greased tins, smoothing out any air bubbles.
• Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until light brown--watch carefully.