Peppernuts
From Joan Brune. Makes ~300 peppernuts.
INGREDIENTS
1¼ cup sugar
½ cup shortening
1 cup molasses
2 cup buttermilk + 1 tsp baking soda (mixed in)
6 cups flour
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp allspice
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
DIRECTIONS
In large bowl, cream sugar and shortening
Mix in molasses, then buttermilk-baking soda mixture
In separate bowl, combine dry ingredients
Mix dry ingredients into wet, one cup at a time, adding additional flour if necessary (dough should not be sticky)
Working in batches, roll dough into long snakes on floured surface (snakes should be about ½” in diameter)
Cut snakes at a 45º angle, each cut about ½” apart / / / /
Press cut sides with fingers to slightly flatten
Bake at 350º for ~10 min., or until fully cooked