Remember these?
Yep, that’s right. It’s recipe time. Before I get into all that though, I want to participate in this week’s Thankful Thursday, hosted by the lovely Jessie over at Jessie Loves to Run. I’ve been wanting to participate for awhile now (I have a lot to be thankful for, so I should) and I finally remembered/found the time! Here we go, 10 things I’m thankful for.
1. I’m thankful for cookies, naturally.
2. I’m thankful for a family who loves and understands me. There aren’t many people who want to hang out with their mom and dad on a Saturday night from time to time, and I can honestly say that I do. Just this past Saturday, I was up until 1am chatting away with my mom and sister, drinking wine. It was so much fun.
3. I’m thankful for not just one, but two cancelled lectures this week. It’s the little things.
4. I’m thankful for Trader Joe’s. Are you surprised?
5. I’m thankful for my roommate Andrea. Seriously. Finding a roommate who you not only get along with, but also have similar living standards and habits, is like finding the holy grail. We’re both clean (but not to an obsessive level), we share all of the household chores, and if one of us happens to go exceptionally OCD one weekend and clean the entire apartment, we appreciate it! And it all balances out. Oh and, we’re pretty much the same person. And best friends.
6. On that note, I’m thankful for my financial independence and a house/apartment that I love.
7. I’m thankful for Christmas music that seems to be the only thing getting me through my 10 (more like 12) hour work days.
8. I’m thankful for sleeping in on Saturdays. I love sleep.
9. I’m thankful for blogging and the blog world in general. Every time I get overwhelmed with it all and think it might be time to cross “blogging” off my to-do list, I get an encouraging or sweet comment that changes my mind. Blogging is time consuming (any of you fellow bloggers can agree I’m sure), but it’s worth it.
10. I’m thankful for my health, and the health of all my loved ones. After writing that just then, I realized what a blessing that truly is.
::insert smooth transition…::
Onto more important things! Cookies! (just kidding—sort of 
)
Quick story to try and convey just how delicious these cookies are.
About a year ago, one of my best friends Amanda lost her grandmother. It was so awful, especially since the entire family was very close to her. I wanted to do something, anything to help comfort them in some way. So I made these cookies.
Amanda later told me that they received dozens of baked goods, meals, etc. from friends and family when they were grieving. Her dad, upon tasting these cookies, could not stop raving, “I mean the rest of this stuff is great and all, but these cookies. Man. I cannot stop eating them.”
They’re addictive. You’ve been warned.
Molasses Spice Cookies
From a friend of a friend (unsure of original source)
Ingredients:
2 and 1/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup molasses
Instructions:
1. The night before (this batter chills at least 1 hour, preferably overnight), in a large bowl, cream together shortening and brown sugar, until well combined. Beat in egg, then beat in molasses. Set aside.
2. In a separate medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger. Stir well (using a whisk or similar).
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in small batches, about 3-4 should do it. Beat together until fully combined. The batter will be a tad crumbly, and somewhat difficult to work with (unless you have a fancy schmancy KitchenAid).
4. Once the dough is fully combined, wrap in parchment paper and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
5. When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
6. Roll about a tablespoon of dough into a ball. Then,take your cookie dough ball and roll it in granulated sugar until it’s completely coated. Place the cookie dough ball on a non-stick baking sheet (pictures below). If you don’t have a non-stick baking sheet, use parchment paper or a Silpat.
7. Gently press the cookie dough ball with your thumb, leaving a small print.
8. Continue this process until your cookie sheet is full. Bake for 10-12 minutes (11 is perfect in my oven).
9. Remove cookies from the oven, and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes on the pan, until they’re set.
10. Eat lots’o cookies! 
My entire family is obsessed with these. We’re all cookie monsters! Here’s some pictures to illustrate the baking process a bit more.
Cookie dough balls coated in granulated sugar, is there anything better? I don’t think so.
I hope you guys get a chance to try this recipe! I can’t wait to make them again. They’ll definitely be on the menu for Christmas Eve and Christmas!
Ok, I think it’s time for me to hit the hay. One last picture…
Pacman Cookie.
What are you thankful for today? What’s your favorite festive cookie this season?
I’m thankful for cookies too
And Trader Joe’s. I like your list! Also, your house is super cute!
Thanks Sarah! Trader Joe’s is definitely something to be thankful for, I dunno what I did without them! haha
Yum, yum, yum! I will introduce these to the annual bake-off my sister and I do once we’re home for break. And I love your list–Trader Joe’s would definitely be on mine, too.
That sounds so great, an annual bake-off! Let me know if you try these, I’m a little biased but I bet they’d win
I can’t wait to have these when I go home!! My mum usually makes half like that and half without the sugar coating but with lemon icing instead. Delish!
Mmm lemon icing, I’m intrigued! I bet that’d be delicious.
oooh man those cookies look so good… not even sure I want to make them because I might eat them all!
Haha, they are definitely a bit dangerous! I usually make them for a holiday, or bring them into my office for coworkers to share. If I didn’t…I’d probably polish off an entire batch in a scarily short amount of time (like, two days). They’re so good!
I love that you’re so close to your family – I’m the same way with mine. I have no problem going over to their place and just hanging out… the older I get, the more I seem to appreciate them. And I’m definitely thankful for cookies. I swear that one of my favorite parts about this time of year is all of the festive baking. Snickerdoodles, gingerbread, and sugar cookies? Give me all of themmmmm
I’ve definitely gone through the same thing, the older I get the more I miss and appreciate my family. I went through a brief “I hate everyone” tween phase, but since then, we’ve been really close. I love this time of year for the flavors and baking! I’ve been dying for some homemade snickerdoodles, might need to do something about that this weekend!
Hi Meghan! These cookies look delicious. Mmmmm…
I can also totally relate to your blogging conundrum. It does take up so much time, but just remember you’re doing it for you.
Don’t let it stress you out!
Thanks Haley! And you’re right, I can’t let it stress me out. At least, that’s what I’ve been trying to do. It’s why my 5 posts/week has dwindled down to more like 2 the past couple months. Two is better than zero, right? Right! Haha
what a beautiful post, I actually make a recipe like this for my uncle each year because he adores ginger cookies. I think I am in the same boat with blogging, it takes a lot of time but i do enjoy it. tough call for sure.
Thanks Alex! That’s so sweet you make something like these cookies for your uncle each year. My whole family loves them, but one of my aunt’s seriously LOVES them, so I have to make sure I make them for her every year! Glad to hear I’m not the only one who notices how much time blogging can take, it’s definitely a lot when you already have so much else going on (as I know you do). I think it’s worth it in the end though, and if I miss a couple posts (er, or twenty ha) then that’s just fine with me!
Those cookies look yummy! I’ve never had molasses cookies, but I may have to give them a try. My favorite holiday cookie is a gingerbread man. I had never really had them before last year when my sister made some for the holiday. I loved them! I think I hate 12 in the course of two days!
I’ve never made gingerbread man cookies before, but I saw the cookie cutters this weekend and was super tempted to buy them! I’ve had an actual ginger bread, but not the cookies. I’m thinking that needs to change this holiday season, I’m always looking for new recipes, esp for cookies!
I just went to Trader Joe’s for the first time when I was at home…I actually went twice. I had so much fun wandering around and searching for new goodies!
That’s awesome! I know it, Trader Joe’s isn’t really set up like a “normal” grocery store, so I always find myself wandering the aisles for way too long, checking out all the great products!
I love the picture of you and your sister. It captured a fantastic moment. <3
And your apartment is beautiful!! Is it terrible that I know I'll take care of my condo much better than I do my (Dad's) house because it will be beautiful and new and mine? Hope not because it will 100% be the case. haha.
Ditto on the blogging. But it just makes me feel so good I feel like it's a super valid way to spend my time.
And last but freaking certainly not least — those cookies!!! They look AMAZING!! However, the part about leaving them overnight? I'm a big fan of cookie dough. I don't know if they'd ever make it to cookie form. haha.
Loved this post!!
Thanks Chels! I know, that moment of me and my sister is kinda priceless
And that’s not terrible at all, a new condo?? SO exciting I would want to take care of it extra special too! Blogging is a totally valid way to spend my time too, I enjoy it and feel like I sort of need it, but sometimes when I have a test I haven’t started studying for looming in my mind I find it hard to justify :-/
And the cookies are SO good, but the dough might be even better. A good portion never gets baked thanks to me and my dad, cookie dough monsters!
YESS!! && the recipe is posted
Thank you dear!
Such a beautiful Thankful Thursday post. You & your sister look gorgeous in the photo <3
Thanks Jessie! You’re such a sweetheart for saying that
And I hope you get to make these cookies! Definitely let me know how they turn out!!
Awesome list of thankfuls! You are totally right about finding a good roommate- I had a horrible match my freshman year and after I transferred schools I got my own studio apartment so I wouldn’t have repeat bad luck… I loved my independence and having the ability to go out with my friends and come home to quiet, but sometimes I did wish I had someone around like those times it was blizzarding [in Boston] and braving the cold was not high on my list
And of course, I will forever thank Mr. TJ [hard core crush]!
P.S. Love the cookies, family fave of ours too- I’ll have to dig out our recipe…
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who had roommate trouble in the past! I swear, it really was like finding the holy grail when I finally found a roommate I could see myself living with for more than one lease term haha. I’d love to get a studio apartment eventually, but I’m just able to save so much money with a roommate so it’s hard for me to bite the bullet and take that step. I know I’d love my independence too, something to think about for sure! Hope you’re able to dig out your recipe for cookies too, tis the season!
Love your apartment – so cute! Those floors are to die for!
So thankful for my friends, family, health, and my amazing new husband (who I get to see in a few weeks! #visaissues).
I. want. those. cookies. NOW! I’ll have to live vicariously at the moment, as I’m sans oven, and enjoy tons of ice cream instead
Thanks Tara! I know I love the floors, one of my favorite parts of the apartment for sure. That’s so great that you get to see your husband soon!! I can’t even imagine, you must’ve been missing him so much! So sad you can’t make these cookies yet
Maybe I’ll have to send you a batch! In the mean time, ice cream is definitely a good replacement 
oh my gosh, those cookies look so delicious. i’m making my christmas baking plan and i keep having to pare down my list of cookies. the problem is people keep adding delicious cookies to posts that i want to make and it’s becoming out of control. currently i’m planning on 6 types but this recipe is making me think i might need to make 7.
I have the same exact problem! I’ll spend way too much time on pinterest or reading blogs, and end up with a list of 15 cookie recipes I HAVE to make! Haha, a bit unrealistic! Let me know if you end up trying these, they’re a staple in my family’s holiday, SO delicious and super festive
Hi! I;m new to your blog!! Those cookies look delicious!! I’m going to put them on my holiday party recipe list! yum!
Thanks for saying hi!! I love new readers, and I hope you like the cookies!! Definitely let me know how they turn out
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