Thick like Molasses

Every time I bake with molasses, I remember a college friend telling me "our friendship is thick like molasses..." At the time I had no idea what molasses was and if you don't know, think fragrant dark honey. Anyway,  after watching hours and hours of "The New Girl" and "Gossip Girl," to celebrate my well earned free time, I finally ran out of episodes to watch.  It suddenly occurred to me that I needed to redeem the time and enjoy the holiday season before it slips away like summer did...What better way to celebrate the holidays than with some holiday cookies! These are a little different from the ones I encountered in the past. They did not require flattening before entering the oven and they spread A LOT!! so spread 'em!

Molasses Ginger Snaps

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, melted

1 cup white sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup molasses

1/2 tablespoon lemon zest

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger

1/2 cup white sugar

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, 1 cup sugar, and egg until smooth. Stir in the molasses add lemon zest and fresh ginger. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger; blend into the molasses mixture. Cover, and chill dough for 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Roll dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining white sugar. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until tops are cracked. Cool on wire racks