The name Murder Cookies came about, apparently, when the recipe was discovered when someone was researching a murder that took place in their home before they’d bought it. Someone nicknamed them “Murder Cookies”, and the internet being the internet the name took off.
There are a few different minor variations on the recipe – this is mine. But they’re all essentially the same. If you’re not too put off by the name, give these a try, they’re delicious – almost like a crispy on the edges, soft in the middle molasses cookie!
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups flour
- 1 T baking soda
- 1 t cinnamon
- 1 t nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup shortening
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 egg, brought to room temperature
- 1 t vanilla
- ¼ cup milk
Directions
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt until well combined and set aside.
In a separate large bowl add the sugar, shortening, molasses, egg and vanilla and mix until creamy, just a minute or two.
Get your dry ingredients and mix half in with the wet, then add the milk and mix that in, then add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
Cool the dough in the fridge for about a half hour. When you’re ready to bake, line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Get your batter and roll it into balls about the size of ping pong balls. Place the balls on the cookie sheets, six to a sheet. Lightly press down on each ball to flatten them a little.
Bake at 350 for 11-13 minutes or until the edges are just slightly crispy. These are supposed to be chewy inside so don’t leave them in the oven too long. Take the sheets out of the oven, let the cookies rest on the sheets for a minute then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Makes about 5 dozen murderously good cookies! (sorry, I had to…)
Ugly Desserts 