This past Tuesday night, October 6, 2015, was National Night Out Against Crime in Central Texas. A handful of our sweet, long-time neighbors always organize some form of a block party for the event. For the last several years, our small celebration has been hosted by a generous neighbor who happens to have a huge yard on a corner lot that easily accommodates a crowd.
It’s typically a potluck-style party, and this year was no different. Some people brought a variety of meats including smoky, barbecue chicken, ribs and brisket. Other folks contributed a few types of grilled sausages. And for side dishes there were some spicy, homemade, borracho-style pinto beans, Mexican rice, green beans and bread.
Yes, it does sounds a lot like a summer barbecue and not a typical church-y potluck, right? Well, this is Texas after all, and barbecue with a Tex-Mex flair is just what we’re taught to feed the masses! The grilling addiction and indoctrination starts in childhood here. Seriously, serving something meaty, smoky and straight from the pit is the best way to go when planning a big party. Everyone knows that!
Naturally, there was also the dessert table, and that’s where I come into the scope of this little buffet. As required by law at potlucks, there were store-bought pies, homemade sheet cakes, and tasty fruit cobblers aplenty. And then, at the very edge of the table (yes, because I was late), there were four dozen fresh-baked cookies that were donated by me. I baked up two of my all-time, favorite cookie recipes to share with my friends: chewy molasses cookies and easy, double-chocolate chunk cookies.
And, when I say “fresh-baked”, I mean it. Evan had already walked down the street with the kids in the wagon and I was left waiting for the double-chocolate chunk cookies to cool down! Yes, as usual, there was a brilliant display of enthusiastic baking and organization here at my house.
But, in the end, it all worked out and we had fun catching up with our neighbors. The kids enjoyed an exciting visit from our local police department, and when it was all said and done, I didn’t come home with leftovers which is about as exciting as it gets for me these days.
And, I wouldn’t change a thing.
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Chewy Molasses Cookies printable recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature (I used salted butter)
- 1/4 cup shortening
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses (I used Grandma’s brand)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 4 tbsp coarse sugar sprinkles (for the tops)
Instructions:
1. Pre-heat your oven to 325°. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and the spices together and set aside.
2. In another small bowl, mix the butter, shortening, sugar, molasses and egg together. Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients with a mixer or a wooden spoon. Stir until ingredients are just combined.
3. Roll heaping teaspoons of dough into balls. Dip the one half of the dough balls into the reserved coarse sugar.
I use this sparkling sugar often and top bunches of cookies with it. You can get it most anywhere, I think. |
4. Evenly space the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake for at least 13 minutes or until cookies appear to be dry and done.
5. Cool on a rack. Serve with coffee or milk and enjoy!
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Hi Andrea, thank you for your visit and kind comments! I also look forward to reading more of your wonderful posts! I love everything baked with cinnamon, and I figure you can never go wrong with sparkle and spice! 🙂
Hi John, they were definitely super fresh cookies! Molasses cookies are one of the best things on Earth 🙂 Thank you!
Dear Marcelle, your Chewy molasses cookies look absolutely marvelous – I love warm spices in my cookies and the bit of sparkle you added to the top of the cookies for extra crunch is just an perfect little touch to make them even better!
Thank you also for visting my blog the other day – this way I got to read through some of your very lovely posts – I am looking forward to more visits in the near future!
Have a great Sunday,
Andrea
Who can resist cookies, particularly ones that are fresh baked? Super fresh in this case! Love molasses cookies, and it's been ages since I've had one. So of course now you have me craving these. 😉 Good post — thanks.
*their* see what happens when I respond to comments with no coffee in the system? 🙂
Hi Beth, we are truly lucky to live on such a social street! Thank you 🙂
Hello Grace! I'll use any excuse to bake, any time! 🙂
Hi David, soft, chewy cookies are the best kind! It was a fun time. The kids loved talking to the police and they even let them look in there police cars. Better than a parade! 🙂
I love molasses cookies! These sound amazing. What a fun way to spend an evening with your neighbours.
These look Marcelle, especially as I am partial to chewy cookies! And how wonderful that your neighborhood does this night out for safety!
i wish all potluck attendees were like you! what a generous and delicious contribution!