Ah, THESE were the cookies that saved the day. Delicate flavor and beautiful shiny texture. My daughter came to TX from Portland OR, and we chose 4 recipes from this site for our Christmas cookie-baking tradition. Two were horrible (too much baking soda!!), and one was just OK, but this one is an OUTSTANDING cookie!! I am clove-shy because it can overpower a recipe and give it a medicinal taste, but my daughter insisted on following the recipe, and the spices are delightful, very well-balanced. The dough was very sticky even after chilling overnight, but it could be rolled with much extra flour sprinkled about. We discovered, when we forgot one batch, that it improves the flavor, if you cook them twice as long as recommended, or to taste. They were almost burned at 18 minutes, but the flavor was developed into a very pleasant burnt-sugar taste, of which I am very fond. So cook them as long as you dare. I think they're better almost burned.

Reviewed On: Dec. 30, 2009

I wanted to love these cookies, and almost did when I ate them submerged in milk, but a bite of this cookie by itself leaves a fishy aftertaste. Why?? Too much baking soda!!! When I make this recipe again, and I will, because I LOVE chocolate and mint, I plan to use about 3/4 tsp of baking powder and perhaps 1/4 tsp baking powder. Some recipes use baking powder alone. But when baking, beware of a preponderance of baking soda; it will ruin your baked goods. I just made the Soft Molasses Cookies I from this site, calling for 2 tsp baking soda, and had to throw them out - nothing could save them.

Reviewed On: Dec. 30, 2009

I did not care for these cookies. Followed the recipe to the letter. I have been searching for a good chewy molasses cookie, and read the reviews. Thought this looked promising. Hesitated strongly at 2 tsp of baking soda for 2 1/4 cups flour, but none of the reviews mentioned an off taste. Ours tasted STRONGLY of baking soda. If I were to make them again, I would use 1 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp baking soda.

Reviewed On: Dec. 30, 2009