Sorry for the longish absence. I was sick with a nasty cold and in no mood for blogging. I tried cooking but got tired just thinking about going to the market… Thankfully, I’ve been feeling better since yesterday and took advantage of the extra energy to bake up some sweet goodness: homemade molasses bear paws. This idea has been in the back of my mind since I made those inappropriate gingerbread men at Christmas. They ended up tasting very similar to the bear paws you get at the grocery store and created a major craving. I’m happy to say this homemade version turned out quite well. I need to improve on the shape, but the taste and texture is all there: sweet, spicy, crispy on the edges and cakey in the centre – perfect!
Homemade molasses bear paws. What flowers? Those are grizzly toes! 
If you like your cookies not too sweet like I do for afternoon snacks or TV watching (so much for those healthy resolutions… Here we go again! On a side note, my new plan is gym in the mornings), you’ll really like these. Only problem is I like them a little too much. I have no self-control. I’m getting crims in the leybosrd as we spwak… Gotts go. Runninhg uut of hamds. Chomp. Hmmff. Gulp (that’s the milk).
Recipe
Adapted and translated from Obsessions Gourmandes
Yields 20 large cookies (or about 3 days worth around these parts…)
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 cups of flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mix molasses, sugars and butter. Add in the beaten egg, spices, salt and then milk.
In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and baking powder. Add flour mixture to molasses mixture and mix until well combined.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. To form pseudo bear paws (like mine…), use 1 heaping tbsp of dough for palm and 1 tsp for each toe (good luck with that ). Alternatively, big ol’ blobs will taste just as good. Cook for 15 minutes in upper part of the oven 1 baking sheet at a time.
After 10 years of writing corporate speak as a communications specialist for large companies in Montreal, I’ve finally given into my self-indulgent desire to write my way and share my love for food. Writing and cooking are my creative outlets. When I do them right, they help me relax and comfort me...
Apples are good. And easy to prepare. And yummy in your tummy.
Try whole-wheat brown toast with peanut butter. A thick layer of hot home-made apple sauce. Sprinkle lots of brown sugar and a dash of cinnamon. Drop on a few raisins..
Munch happily in front of the TV..
It’s good, and good for you….
Only good apples are acceptable replacements for cookies. Mushy bland apples make me crazy. Like ‘hey, mama Nature, this all you got? Really?’.
Like the peanut butter ‘beurrée’. I appreciate peanut butter in all concoctions. And the applesauce -been there done that and love it. I have that for breakfast. Sometimes it’s yogurt instead of apple sauce… Like your thinking suping it up that way though.
Ooooh! I love bear paws! These are a definite must try! Thank you for that great recipe. On a side note, my favorite molasse cookies are from the Page bakery in St-Sauveur. So good!
I’ll have to try some next time I go up North! These cookies are suuuuper easy to make. Literally whipped them up in 15 minutes, excluding the ridiculous amount of time I spent trying to achieve bear paw shape. Never mind that. On a side note, I love side notes. Lol
Love that you did bear paws! My husband is addicted to those things and I will be more than happy to try out this recipe!
If he’s addicted to the store-bought ones, he won’t be able to control himself with these. Especially out of the oven. They’re already all gone at my place. Made them Monday night!
i’m looking at the jar. there’s one cookie left. slorry its gone.