Traditional Moravian Spice Cookies
Delight in the classic taste of these Traditional Moravian Spice Cookies. With their thin, crispy texture and rich, spiced flavor, these cookies are a timeless holiday treat. Perfect for sharing, they capture the scents and warmth of the holiday season with aromatic spices and sweet molasses.
100
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
dark molasses
1 cup (none)
brown sugar
1 1/3 cups (firmly packed)
lard or shortening
1/2 cup (none)
baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
orange extract
1 tablespoon (none)
flour
4-5 cups (sifted with spices)
cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (none)
mace
1/2 teaspoon (none)
water
2 tablespoons (hot)
ginger
1/2 teaspoon (none)
clove
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a saucepan over low heat, combine the molasses, brown sugar, and lard. Stir occasionally until everything is melted and smoothly blended, then remove from heat and let cool.
2
In a small bowl, dissolve the baking soda in the hot water. Add this mixture to the cooled molasses blend.
3
Stir in the orange extract.
4
Sift together the flour, cinnamon, mace, ginger, and cloves in a large bowl.
5
Gradually add the dry mixture into the molasses blend, mixing thoroughly. The dough should become firm.
6
Once mixed, knead the dough well to ensure even incorporation of ingredients.
7
Cover the dough securely, and allow it to rest in a cool place to mature its flavors for at least several hours or overnight if possible.
8
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
9
On a well-floured surface, roll out small portions of the dough to a thickness between 1/16 and 1/8 of an inch.
10
Using floured cookie cutters, cut into desired shapes, opting for traditional designs for authenticity.
11
Place the cut-out cookies onto greased or parchment-lined baking sheets, ensuring no air bubbles are present.
12
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are a light, golden brown. Keep a watchful eye to avoid over-baking.
13
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Traditional Moravian Spice Cookies?
They are a timeless holiday treat known for their thin, crispy texture and rich, spiced flavor using aromatic spices and molasses.
What is the texture of these cookies?
These cookies are characterized by a thin and crispy texture.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 100 servings.
What type of molasses is required?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of dark molasses.
Can I use shortening instead of lard?
Yes, you can use either 1/2 cup of lard or shortening.
How should the brown sugar be measured?
You should use 1 1/3 cups of firmly packed brown sugar.
How do I prepare the baking soda?
Dissolve 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda in 2 tablespoons of hot water.
What flavor extract is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of orange extract.
Which spices are included in the dough?
The spice blend includes cinnamon, mace, ginger, and cloves.
How much flour is needed for Moravian Spice Cookies?
You will need between 4 and 5 cups of sifted flour.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
Combine molasses, brown sugar, and lard in a saucepan over low heat until melted and smoothly blended.
When should I add the baking soda mixture?
Add the dissolved baking soda mixture to the molasses blend once it has cooled.
How should the dry ingredients be prepared?
Sift together the flour, cinnamon, mace, ginger, and cloves in a large bowl.
How do I mix the dough?
Gradually add the dry mixture into the cooled molasses blend, mixing thoroughly until the dough is firm.
Is kneading required for this recipe?
Yes, you should knead the dough well to ensure even incorporation of all ingredients.
How long should the dough rest before baking?
The dough should rest in a cool place for at least several hours or overnight to mature the flavors.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How thin should the cookie dough be rolled?
Roll the dough out to a thickness between 1/16 and 1/8 of an inch.
What kind of surface is best for rolling the dough?
Use a well-floured surface to prevent the thin dough from sticking.
What designs are recommended for cutting the cookies?
Traditional designs are recommended for authenticity using floured cookie cutters.
How should I prepare the baking sheets?
Use greased or parchment-lined baking sheets for the cookies.
How do I ensure the cookies bake evenly?
Ensure no air bubbles are present when placing the cut-out cookies on the baking sheets.
How long do Moravian Spice Cookies take to bake?
Bake the cookies for approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
How can I tell when the cookies are done?
The cookies should be a light, golden brown; keep a watchful eye to avoid over-baking.
What is the cooling process for these cookies?
Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
What makes these cookies a good holiday treat?
Their aromatic spices and molasses capture the scents and warmth of the holiday season.
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes, letting the dough rest overnight is actually preferred for flavor maturation.
What are the main tags for this recipe?
The recipe is tagged with holiday, christmas, traditional, spice cookies, dessert, baking, and molasses cookies.
Is water used in this recipe?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of hot water are used specifically to dissolve the baking soda.
How many grams of ginger and cloves are used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon each of ginger and cloves.