Old Fashioned Cinnamon Snaps

Old Fashioned Cinnamon Snaps are a molasses cookie that’s big on flavor.  The combination of butter and Crisco gives a perfectly soft interior and slightly crisp exterior.

Old Fashioned Cinnamon Snaps Recipe:

There’s one important detail that you need to know. These are Grandma’s Cinnamon Snap Cookies. And you know if there’s a grandma involved, then they have to be amazing.

Actually, these belong to my friend Maryann’s Grandma Clemons. When I was visiting, Maryann let me flip through a cookbook of all her Grandmother’s recipes, and I made sure to leave with a handful that I wanted to try. And these Molasses Snaps made the shortlist.

Let me take two steps back…

First, I’m talking about THE Maryann.  She’s the beauty behind several of my favorite recipes including Make Ahead Ham and Quiche, Sweet Cornbread and Tuscan White Bean Soup.

Second, her family sat down and created a cookbook of ALL Grandma’s recipes.  This is utterly fantastic.  If you have a mom, dad, aunt or grandma who is the world’s best cook, then you need to start a family project just like this.  Have your loved one write down their recipes, compile them all, and create your own family cook book. Maryann’s family even put in their favorite memories to go along with each recipe.

Let’s talk about Molasses.

What is Molasses?

Molasses is a by-product that comes from the process of making sugar.

What does molasses taste like?

Take one big whiff of molasses, and you’ll realize it has a unique smell and flavor.  While molasses is sweet, it also has smoky and bitter notes to it.

What is Blackstrap Molasses?

Blackstrap molasses is a special molasses that goes through even more processing to produce a more concentrated, thicker, denser molasses. It is not interchangeable in a recipe.  Only use blackstrap molasses if the recipe specifically calls for it.

Does Molasses have any health benefits?

Molasses contains several minerals including calcium, iron, selenium and copper. It also contains a lot of sugar, so be wary.

Molasses is sticky. How do I get molasses to come out of my measuring cup?

Here’s a helpful hint. Spray the inside of your liquid measuring cup with nonstick cooking spray before using.  This allows the molasses to come out quickly and easily. This also works great for honey.

How to Make Snap Cookies:

Instructions:

1. Cream butter, shortening, brown sugar, egg, and molasses.
2. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
3. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, and mix until just incorporated.
4. Roll into 1-inch balls and roll in sugar.
5. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 8-9 minutes.

For the full recipe for Grandma’s Molasses Crinkle Cookies, scroll to the bottom of this post. 

Notes About Old Fashioned Cinnamon Snaps:

• These Cinnamon Snap Cookies are also called Molasses Crinkle Cookies.
• These Molasses Snap Cookies call for both butter and Crisco (shortening).  Be sure to follow the instructions. This is what gives these Molasses Sugar Cookies such an amazing texture.
• Crisco is a brand of shortening. It’s fine to use generic if desired.  Crisco has shortening sticks that make measuring super easy.
• Love molasses? Try our Chocolate Chip Molasses Bars.

More Old Fashioned Cookie Recipes:

Pride of Iowa Cookies

French Buttercreams

 

Chocolate Nut Cookies

Grandma’s Three Layer Chocolate Bars

Fudge Nut Bars

Dainty Logs