Old-Fashioned Molasses Crinkles

• all-purpose flour↗2 1⁄4 cups
• baking soda↗2 teaspoons
• ground cinnamon↗1 teaspoon
• ground ginger↗3⁄4 - 1 teaspoon
• ground allspice1⁄2 teaspoon
• ground cloves↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• cayenne pepper or 1/4 teaspoon dried chipotle powder↗1⁄4 teaspoon
• salt↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• vegetable shortening↗1⁄2 cup

  at room temperature

• unsalted butter↗1⁄4 cup

  softened

• packed dark brown sugar↗1 cup
• large egg↗1
• grandma's molasses↗1⁄2 cup
• granulated sugar↗

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, pepper, and salt in a bowl until combined.

2. 2

   Beat together shortening, butter, and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes in a stand mixer (preferably fitted with paddle attachment) or 6 minutes with a handheld. Add egg and molasses, beating until combined. Reduce speed to low, then mix in flour mixture until combined.

3. 3

   Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat to 375°F.

4. 4

   Roll 1 heaping teaspoon of dough into a 1-inch ball with wet hands, then dip 1 end of ball in sanding sugar. Make more cookies in same manner, arranging them, sugared side up, 2 inches apart on two ungreased baking sheets.

5. 5

   Bake cookies, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until undersides are golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes total, then cool on sheets 1 minute. Transfer to racks to cool completely.