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...
