Melissa brought her grandmother's handwritten recipe to our cover shoot. We love the personal touch.

The Schildknecht family shared three of their most-beloved recipes with us. Starting with Melissa’s grandmother’s take on molasses cookies and capped with the kids' favorite meal, these dishes aren’t just delicious, they reflect thought, love and tradition in every bite. Try their family favorites to create your own decadent holiday memories.

This recipe was passed down from Melissa Bandy’s grandmother — they make these treats every year at Christmas.

Yield: Makes several dozen cookies, and can be easily doubled.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons baking soda

• 1 teaspoon ginger

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 stick margarine

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 1 egg, beaten

• ¼ cup molasses

• Granulated sugar (for dusting)

Instructions:

• In a bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking soda, ginger and cinnamon. Set aside.

• In another bowl, cream margarine and sugar.

• Add eggs and molasses to the creamed mixture, beating well.

• Combine sifted ingredients with creamed mixture.

• Chill dough, overnight if possible.

Note:

•The longer the dough can chill, the softer the cookies turn out!

• When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 F.

• Shape dough into balls and roll in extra sugar.

• Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes.

Tastes of Tradition

Try more Schildknecht family favorites to create your own decadent holiday memories.