Molasses Butter Sticks

This recipe is from a very old booklet by the makers of Robin Hood flour, called 'Holiday Entertaining'. I've been thumbing through this recipe booklet for at least 50 years. (Made the ice cream snowballs for the first Christmas party I hosted at the age of 12.)

There are certain recipes that members of my family particularly enjoy. These molasses butter sticks happen to be among the favourites. As it states in the booklet,  "a hint of molasses makes these special."

Ingredients:

• 1 & 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup soft butter
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• icing sugar

Methods:
Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Measure the flour and salt onto a piece of wax paper and stir to blend. Cream the butter, molasses and vanilla well, then gradually add the flour mixing well after each addition. Chill the dough for one hour.

Shape level tablespoonfuls of dough into 3 inch sticks and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. 

Bake for 12-15 minutes. Let cool slightly before removing from the baking sheet. These are very tender cookies, so handle them carefully. 

While the cookies are still warm, roll them in icing sugar to coat.

The ice cream snowballs