Ruth Young's Famous Eisenhower Cookies

I just returned from 5 days at our trailer at the beach with my cousin Benita. We stopped at my Mother's on the way, and Benita mentioned to my mother that she would love her Eisenhower cookie recipe. I told her that I would send it, but realized there were LOTS of fans of the cookie, and decided to post it for all.

Just a little history: Mother received the recipe from our neighbor in Ridgefield, Grandma Plum, who found it in a 1950s newspaper. The chewy molasses cookie was Ike Eisenhower's favorite cookie. Mother created the most amazing soft and chewy results. When Janene would visit, Mother would make a batch for John, her hubby. Then John would take the entire batch to work...to safeguard them. :-)

EISENHOWER COOKIES

3/4 C. shortening (Crisco does work best)
1 C. granulated sugar
1 beaten egg
1 tsp cinnamon
2 C. flour
1 tsp ginger
4 Tbp molasses
2 tsp soda
pinch of salt

Mix all wet ingredients, then add sifted dry ingredients. Roll into balls, then in granulated sugar. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Do not over-bake! Mother did not list the size of the cookies, but I remember the balls being about 1.5 inches. Nor did she list the yield. She always doubled the recipe.