Molasses Cookie for Mrs. Claus

Mrs. Claus is busy too with visions of family fun during this festive season.  She's mindful of eating and wants a sweet cookie that complies with Dietary Guidelines.  These chewy cookies have 2 teaspoons of added sugar per cookie and are made with 1/2 whole grains.  The recipe was inspired by Southern Living Magazine.  

Molasses Cookies

(26 cookies)

Mix together dry ingredients in a side bowl:  (Flours, baking powder, soda and spices)
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

In mixing bowl, cream buttery spread and sugar for 2 minutes.
1/2 cup Earth Balance Buttery Spread
1/2 cup brown sugar

Add molasses and vanilla to mixing bowl.  Mix only till blended.
1/4 cup Black Strap molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat in 1 egg.
1 egg

Add flour mix to bowl, about 1/3rd at at time, mixing only till blended.

Scoop heaping tablespoon dippers of dough.  Roll in turbinado sugar.
1/4 cup Turbinado sugar

Place on parchment lined baking sheets.  Bake in preheated oven 9 minutes, switching pans top to bottom racks 1/2 way through.

Cool on pan on wire rack 5 minutes.  Remove from pan and cool on rack 30 minutes.

This Mrs. Claus ate 1 cookie with my morning coffee, followed by a meal consisting of 1/2 cup homemade granola, 1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt and 1 cup skim milk.

I'm off to water aerobics soon, knowing this exercise is good for my bones and my waistline!