Photo from: yankeemagazine.com |
One particular thing I remember about Grammy is that she always had her cookie jars full. When I was about 7 or 8 years old I used to go into her pantry just to look at the cookie jars. I remember my head was just a little above the counter top where they were placed and I would rest my chin on it and stare at them. There were always sugar cookies and there were always molasses cookies, a regular staple in Maine households where I grew up. Yep, I'm a transplanted Yankee. (After I write this blog post I will definitely never be able to visit the Confederate garage up in Walker County, Georgia, EVER. I don't think they do Yankee up there. If you think I'm joking--google it, I'm serious!)
As an adult I have not lived up in the north country very much, but I still love the food that we ate growing up. (Can you say Lobstah???) Molasses cookies are something I hardly ever make because my southern husband and children just do not like them too much. My two oldest children do, though, but that is because they lived several years in Maine when they were very small and they are familiar with them.
Sooo, for a long time now I've been looking for a good molasses cookie recipe. Grammy died four years ago this month so I couldn't get hers. I researched online for a while and finally decided to try a recipe I found at Yankee Magazine. Well, guess what? Mr. J and all the kids ate 'em AND liked 'em. I didn't even offer them to Mr. J because I know he hates molasses cookies. He took it upon himself to mosey on into the kitchen and take a bite of one. Then he comes into the room and says "Hey, Hon, these cookies are great!" To which I responded, "Huh? Those are molasses cookies." He said, " I know but they're good". To which I thought to myself, "I'll make a Yankee out of that boy yet...".
But I digress.... the truth is that I actually made these cookies because I was entranced with the story behind them.It's kinda neat. Plus they are an authentic Yankee recipe and Lord knows I need a little Yankeefying wicked bad by now, ya'll!!!
So get Yankeefied with me and try the Joe Froggers. They are wicked good.