Labor Cookies

Yes, you read that correctly. These are not Labor Day Cookies. They are Labor Cookies. These cookies are rumored to induce labor for pregnant women. I made them not because I'm unbearably uncomfortable, but rather because I'll take any excuse to eat a cookie (or four).

As my husband said, they taste quite reminiscent of gingersnap cookies. He, of course, does not taste the cayenne pepper that registers on my more sensitive taste buds .

Labor Cookies
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
8 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1/4 cup egg whites

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Combine flour, baking soda and spices and set aside. Cream the butter and sugar together. Add the molasses to the creamed butter, and then add the egg whites until combined. Add the dry ingredients slowly.

Once all ingredients are incorporated, roll dough into 1-inch balls and place onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Makes approximately 3 dozen cookies.

Note: The original recipe I found online suggests eating as many cookies as you can possibly stomach, lay down for a nap and wait for labor to begin. Such an optimistic (and unrealistic) attitude!