Ingredients
- 8 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 ¼ cups brown sugar
- 1 cup lard
- 1 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 4 cups molasses
What Makes This Recipe Special
Kitchen Tips
- Chill the dough before shaping to make handling easier.
- Watch baking time closely to avoid over-browning.
Step 1
Sift the flour, cinnamon, and ginger together into a large bowl. Stir in the sugar until everything is well combined. Using a pastry blender, cut the lard and butter into the flour mixture until it looks crumbly. In a small bowl, mix the vinegar and baking soda together until the baking soda dissolves, then add this to the flour mixture. Pour in the molasses and stir everything until you have a smooth dough. Wrap the dough and pop it in the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes.
Step 2
When you're ready, heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a floured surface, roll the dough out very thin—this helps the cookies bake up crisp. Use your favorite fancy cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then place them on a baking sheet. Bake for around 10 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden. Let them cool a bit before enjoying!