1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) melted butter
2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1/8 cup (2 tbs) molasses
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups finely ground salted cashews (grind them up in your food processor with the steel blade – measure AFTER grinding)
2 eggs, beaten
3 cups flour (no need to sift)

preheat oven to 350 degrees with the rack in the middle position.

microwave the butter in your mixing bowl to melt it. add the sugar, vanilla, and molasses. stir until blended, then add the baking soda, baking powder and salt. mix well.

grind up the cashews in your food processor. measure AFTER grinding. add them to the bowl and mix. pour in the beaten eggs and stir. then add the flour and mix until all the ingredients are thoroughly blended.

let the dough sit for a few minuts fo firm up. then form the dough into small walnut-sized balls and arrange them on a greased cookie sheet, 12 to a standard sheet.(THESE DOUGH BALLS SPREAD OUT SO MAKE THEM FAIRLY SMALL. IF THE DOUGH IS TOO STICKY TO FORM INTO BALLS, CHILL IT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND TRY AGAIN.)

flatten the balls slightly with a spatula or the palm of you hand, just enough so they won’t roll off when you put them in the oven.

bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown. cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to finish cooling.

makes approximately 10 dozen, depending on cookie size