Okoboji Country Inn's Molasses Crinkles wins first place in cookie contest.
Okoboji Country Inn’s Molasses Crinkles wins first place in cookie contest.

Sixteen cookie entries were entered by members of the Iowa Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers Association who attended the annual spring conference at Emerald Hills Golf Club in Arnolds Park, Iowa. 

Donna Muilenburg, Innkeeper at the Okoboji Country Inn Bed and Breakfast in West Okoboji, Iowa had her Molasses Crinkles Cookies selected by the judges for first place. 
Second place winner went to Sherrie Hansen Decker at the Blue Belle Inn B & B in St. Ansgar for her Cherry Chocolate Kisses and third place winner went to Karen Klassen from Kingman Place Bed & Breakfast in Spirit Lake for her Mashed Potato Cookies. 
Here is the winning recipe for Donna’s  cookies.
Molasses Crinkles Cookies
3/4 c soft shortening (Crisco)             1 egg
1 cup brown sugar                                    1/4 c molasses
2 1/4 c flour, sifted                                   2 tsp. soda
1/4 tsp. salt                                                  1/2 tsp. cloves  
1 tsp. cinnamon                                          1 tsp. ginger
Cream shortening and sugar.  Add egg and molasses.  Shift together flour, soda, salt, cloves, cinnamon and ginger.  Mix all together.  Chill overnight or for at least 4 hours.   Roll in balls.  Dip in sugar and bake at  375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Enjoy!