Moravian Molasses Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 2/3 cup dark molasses
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 2 teaspoons sugar + 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon for sprinkling

Instructions:

Cream the butter in a bowl with a mixer set on high. Beat in the brown sugar until the mixture is no longer gritty. Beat in the molasses, lowering the speed to low. Sift the dry ingredients (except for sprinkling mixture) into a separate bowl, then add it in thirds to the butter mixture, stirring with a fork after each addition. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and divide it into six equal portions. Form into flattened disks and refrigerate for at least two hours wrapped in plastic wrap. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Grease two cookie sheets. Work with one portion of dough at a time, leaving the rest in the fridge. Roll out to 1/8 of an inch on a floured surface. Cut out with a fluted cookie cutter. Brush off the flour and place 1 inch apart on the cookie sheets. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Sprinkle the cookies with cinnamon-sugar before baking for 6-8 minutes. Cool on sheets for 2 minutes, then on wire racks.