Now Thats-a Spicy Cookie!

I’ve been playing around with teff flour lately, and, given the weather, been craving spice cookies.  It was only a matter of time before the two came together!

One of my favourite cookies are molasses-spice cookies.  Not too sweet, slightly chewier and puffier than gingersnaps, and rolled in sugar just before you bake them for a nice crispy exterior.  I decided to play around a little bit with a gluten-free flour mix that included teff to see whether it would help move the cookies from crispy to slightly puffy.

Nice crackly exteriors, chewy insides — and a moderate spice level, so the earthy flavours of the molasses come through.  I think this one’s a keeper for the gluten-free recipe file.

Molasses Spice Cookies

(makes approx. 2 dozen cookies)

• 1/2 cup Earth Balance  shortening
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cooking molasses
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup sorghum flour
• 1/2 cup teff flour
• 1/2 cup tapioca starch
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 tsp. allspice
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. xantham gum
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 3/8 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Drop by tablespoons and roll in sugar.  bake at 375 for 12-13 minutes.