Cream Cheese + Molasses Cookies

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Cream Cheese + Molasses Cookies

for the cookies:

4 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. salt
3/4 c. shortening
3/4 c. sugar
1 large egg
1 c. warmed molasses

for the filling:

1 tbsp. softened butter
1 c. powdered confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tbsp. boiling water

Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly grease baking sheets.

for the cookies:

Stir together the flour, baking soda, ginger and salt. Set aside.
Use a large bowl to cream the shortening and sugar together.
Beat in egg and molasses.
Slowly add the flour mixture.
Roll out on a lightly flour surface to a 1/8" thickness.
Use a 2" round cutter, cut out an even number of cookies.
Use a 1" fancy cutter, cut out the centers of half of the
cookies.
Place 1 1/2" apart on the baking sheets.
Bake for 10 - 12 minutes, until lightly colored.
Cool on wire racks.

for the filling:

Cream butter and sugar together.
Beat in the cinnamon and boiling water.

Spread 1/2 tsp. of the filling on the whole plain cookies.
Top with a cut out cookie and press together gently.
Makes 3 - 4 dozen.