The holidays are approaching and an activity that is enjoyed in many homes is to make a variety of Christmas cookies, desserts and candies. Sharing platters full of festive holiday treats with friends, neighbors and co-workers is an excellent way to celebrate this season of giving.
Gingersnap Recipe
This recipe makes 5 dozen cookies. This sweet and spicy cookie is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. The cookies are given a light sprinkling of granulated sugar before being placed in the oven. For a more festive look, sprinkle the cookies with a colored granulated sugar, such as is often used to decorate sugar cookies. Red and green granulated sugar will add a nice, Christmas-themed decorative flair to the cookies.
Baking Tips
Substitute light brown sugar for the dark brown sugar if necessary. Margarine may be used in place of the butter if desired. To make measuring the molasses easier, lightly coat the measuring cup with non-stick cooking spray.
Ingredients for the Gingersnap Recipe
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 ¼ cup dark brown sugar - packed
- ¾ cup butter - room temperature
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 tablespoon crystallized ginger - diced
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar - for garnish
Directions for the Gingersnap Recipe
- Preheat the oven to 300° Fahrenheit.
- In a large bowl sift together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger and allspice.
- In another bowl cream together the brown sugar and butter using an electric mixer.
- Add the egg, molasses and crystallized ginger and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula and beat the mixture for another minute.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just blended.
- Cover the bowl of dough with a towel or piece of foil and chill in the refrigerator for ½ hour.
- Place level tablespoons of the cookie dough onto baking sheets that have been lightly coated with cooking spray.
- Sprinkle each ball of cookie dough with a bit of the granulated sugar.
- Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 24 minutes.
- Take the sheets out of the oven and transfer the cookies to a flat surface to cool down.
Additional Resources
Serve freshly prepared gingerbread with a variety of holiday beverages. See the article Hot Holiday Drinks for three recipe ideas.
See the article Triple Gingerbread for a recipe on how to make a cake-type gingerbread recipe.
See the article How to Make a Gingerbread House for another gingerbread recipe.
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