Fast, fun and easy this simple little spice cookie would be great with fruit or vanilla ice cream.  This recipe is adapted from Gourmet Magazine, Feb. 2004

Ingredients:  

1. 1 cup all-purpose flour
2. ½ teaspoon cinnamon
3. ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
4. ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
5. ¼ teaspoon salt
6. ½ teaspoon baking soda
7. 6 tablespoons. unsalted butter, softened
8. 6  tablespoons sugar
9. 2 teaspoon molasses

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and prepare baking sheet with parchment paper 

1. Sift the flour, cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, salt, and baking soda into a bowl and set aside.
2. Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add the molasses, stir.
4. Add the dry ingredients in two additions blending well with each. The dough will be crumbly.
5. Roll level teaspoons of dough into balls, then press them into little pancakes about 1 ½” in diameter and place them on the baking sheet.
6. Using a fork which has been dipped in flour, make a crisscross shape on top of each cookie.
7. Bake for about 10-12 minutes and transfer on a rack to cool.

Yield:  About 2 dozen 2” cookies