Ginger Molasses Cookies

As far as baking goes, I don't mind baking a simple cake, but baking cookies is not my thing.

I think I have only made one recipe for cookies on this blog in almost 2 years.
The Jacques Torres famous fantastic chocolate chip cookies, they were worth the time, and if you count rugelach as cookies (I guess they classify as a cookie), then twice.

The 10 pm baker (that would be me....finished reading food blogs by then) decided she had to have gingersnaps or some kind of spicy fall cookie.

Browsing Bridget's blog, I decided on Dorie's recipe.

My husband said they were the best ginger molasses cookies he has ever had.
Crispy, yet chewy, and very spicy!

Now please don't ask me to join the group "Tuesdays with Dorie" just because I baked on a Tuesday!



Sugar-Topped Molasses Spice Cookies
Dorie Greenspan

2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
pinch cracked or coarsely ground black pepper
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses (not blackstrap)
1 large egg
1/2 cup sugar, for rolling

Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, allspice and pepper.

Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl (which I used), beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy.

Add the brown sugar and molasses and beat for 2 minutes or so to blend, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the egg and beat for 1 minute more. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients, mixing until the flour and spices disappear. If some flour remains in the bottom of the bowl, to avoid over-beating the dough, mix in the last of the dry ingredients, mixing until the flour and spices disappear. If some flour remains in the bottom of the bowl, to avoid over-beating the dough, mix in the last of the dry ingredients by hand with a rubber spatula. You'll have a smooth, very soft dough.

Divide the dough in half and wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Freeze for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (The dough can be kept refrigerated for up to 4 days.)
Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Put the sugar in a small bowl.

Working with one packet of dough at a time, divide it into 12 pieces, and roll each piece into a smooth ball between your palms. One by one, roll the balls around in the bowl of sugar , then place them on one of the baking sheets.
Flatten the cookies to make them about 1/2" thick.



Bake the cookies one sheet at a time for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the tops feel set to the touch. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and, if the cookies have spread and are touching, use the edge of a metal spatula to separate them while they are still hot.

Transfer the cookies to a rack to cool to room temperature. Repeat with the second batch of dough.

I kept these in a wax paper lined Rubbermaid container all week, and they stayed nice and fresh.