Joe Froggers | A Taste of New England

Known to the people of Marblehead, MA, as "Uncle Joe," one man passed down this molasses cookie recipe said to be over 100 years old. Since he lived on the edge of a pond, his 4-inch round cookies became known as Joe Froggers, and the local bakery sold them for a penny apiece. 

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Joe Froggers ingredients

4⅓ cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1½ tsp ground ginger
3/4 tsp ground cloves
3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
3/4 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup light molasses
1 Tbsp Rum Extract
1/3 cup water

Directions

Mix and sift flour, baking soda, salt and the four spices.

Cream shortening and sugar. Add molasses and Rum Extract, beating well.

Add flour mixture and water alternately, beating well until blended after each addition.

Wrap dough in foil and chill overnight.

Preheat oven to 375ºF.

Roll dough 1/4-inch thick. Cut with floured 4-inch round cookie cutter. (They're not Joe Froggers unless you cut this size!) 

Bake on lightly greased cookie sheet for 8 to 9 minutes.

This cookie recipe is from the Junior League of Worcester, Inc, A Taste of New England (Memphis: The Wimmer Companies, Inc, 1990), 212.