Fart Cookies

I have been asked to repost this. Merry Christmas all.

I nearly forgot! Today I am making Christmas cookies. I am not a traditional
cookie maker, that shouldn't surprise anyone! I make hundreds of gingerbread
boys each year, but the family favorite is what we call "Momma's Fart
Cookies".

This is a recipe that has been handed down in my family. It was originally
known as Wine Drop Cookies, no idea where that name came from. Every year as
children we would look forward to the cookie box that would arrive in the
mail from my Nanny (Momma's Mom). Inside would be a huge 10 inch gingerbread
boy for each of us kids, and a dozen Wine Drop's. This was a BIG event for
us. One of the things you treasure and want to carry on with your own
children.



So - - why has my version of this wonderful holiday tradition taken on such
a name change? Gluttony. Pure and simple. Nanny's cookies when consumed in
moderation - for instance, 12 cookies divided between 4 grandchildren - has
no noticeable effect on anyone. These same cookies when placed on a platter
by the dozens, and set out for unsuspecting by passers to munch on - can
have devastating results.

I have learned over the years that there are a couple of functions you do
NOT want to bring these cookies to. A teacher staff meeting at work, a baby
shower or Sunday school. Why you're asking? What can be so sneaky about a
simple brown lumpy cookie with powdered sugar on top? Molasses. Any of you
familiar with the Powers of molasses? LOL, next time you get constipated try
a wee bit in your coffee or tea as a sweetener! VAROOM!!! In a cookie, it
does not have such heroic effects, but it does cause gas - - lots of gas - -
No seriously, I mean LOTS of gas.

Every year I make these Fart Cookies. On each platter I wrap up for giving
away I include a little warning note - "Caution, these cookies contain
Molasses - a natural laxative. Eat sparingly." Every year I have folks
begging for the recipe and laughing over the fact that they did not heed my
warning :-) And everyone calls them Fart Cookies!



In a large mixing bowl combine -

2 cups of brown sugar

1 cup of Crisco

1 cup of molasses

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

1 teaspoon of cloves

1 teaspoon of salt

2 teaspoons of baking soda dissolved into 1 cup of water

1 cup of raisins (optional)

5 cups of flour

Mix it all up nice and good. Then drop by the spoonful onto your cookie
sheet. I use a large soup spoon for this. Bake at 350 for anywhere from
10-13 mins. It will depend upon how big you made your drops :-) Cookie will
be cake like in texture when done. While cookies are still warm sprinkle
generously with powdered sugar.