Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies by: Anna McMurren 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup molasses 2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2/3 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup milk 1/3 cup granulated sugar for decoration Combine butter or margarine, molasses, and unsweetened chocolate in the top of a double boiler. Heat until chocolate melts. Stir until smooth. Sift together flour, 2/3 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, and salt. Stir in melted chocolate mixture and milk. Mix well. Chill until firm. Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Roll balls in sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 10 minutes. Servings: 18 Gingerbread" Pumpkin Pie 2 unbaked 9-inch deep-dish pie crust shells (refrigerated, frozen or homemade) 4 eggs 1 can (29 ounces) solid pack Pumpkin ? c. granulated sugar ? c. packed brown sugar ? c. unsulphured molasses 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground allspice 2 cans (12 oz. each) evaporated milk Prepare pie shells. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Beat eggs lightly in large batter bowl. Whisk in remaining ingredients until uniform. Pour into pie shells. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Then bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool, and serve with whipped cream. Orange Spice Gingerbread Cookies Preheat oven to 350 degrees F 1 cup butter, softened 1 1/2 cups white sugar 1 tablespoon molasses 1 egg 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon ground ginger 2 teaspoons ground cloves 2 teaspoons ground cardamom 2 teaspoons baking soda 1/4 cup orange juice 1 tablespoon orange zest In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in the molasses and egg. Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and cardamom; stir into the creamed mixture alternately with the orange juice. Then stir in the orange zest. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut out cookies with cookie cutters, and place them on an unprepared cookie sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, edges should be slightly browned. Cool cookies on wire racks. Makes 9 dozen cookies. EASY Fast Cookies for Kids Buy a package of plain gingerbread cookies. Buy a white tube frosting and some red and green sparkles. Let the kids decorate the cookies and enjoy! If you don't have time to bake, order them from a friend who does. You can also go to your local bakery and buy them and then package them in cute wrapping. It is the thought that counts and will bring a smile to anyone who remembers the joys of the Christmas season. Tap the tray for more recipes Contents & Graphics Copyright Susan's Garden of Friendship-OurFamily4Him/2001-2010 and the graphic artist listed. Our work is not Public Domain, and should NOT be taken from this site. Thank you.