Ingredients

3 c. all purpose flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. ground cloves
1 t. nutmeg
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. molasses
1 egg, beaten
1 t. vanilla
Preheat oven to 350°.
Sift together first seven ingredients and set aside. Beat butter and sugars until smooth.Beat in egg, vanilla and molasses. Add dry ingredients a little at a time until well mixed. Form dough into a ball, cover and chill for an hour. Roll dough on floured surface to 1/8” thickness. Cut cookies with a floured cookie cutter bear. Bake on ungreased sheet for 8-10 minutes, until almost firm when touched. Cool on racks, and decorate as desired.

Journal: When we travel, we like to bring home interesting souvenirs. On a paragliding trip to the Owens Valley back in 2000, I found this recipe card, with a bear-shaped cookie
cutter and a spice packet attached. Perfect! The molasses cookies are the best I’ve ever made, and the recipe card graciously provided the names and quantities of the spices in the packet so I could repeat the “official” recipe. These bears are my most-requested holiday cookies. Baking them fills our home with a wonderful spicy aroma, and brings back memories of that most excellent Owens Valley vacation.