MAKES 24  3" COOKIES

This recipe calls for the darkest molasses made: blackstrap molasses. Unlike refined sugar, this sweetener is said to have health benefits, allowing you to make your cookies and eat them, too.

1 tbsp. shortening
1 stick margarine, melted
1 cup sugar
1⁄2 cup blackstrap molasses
1 egg
1⁄2 cup milk
2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
1⁄2 tsp. ground cloves
1⁄2 tsp. ground ginger
1⁄2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1⁄2 tsp. salt
1 3⁄4 tsp. baking soda

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Grease 2 cookie sheets with shortening and set aside. Combine margarine, sugar, molasses, egg, and milk. Beat until well mixed.

2. Sift together flour, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Add dry mixture to molasses mixture 1⁄2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.

3. Drop by tablespoons onto cookie sheets and bake for 10 minutes. Cool on wire racks.