Fall has arrived abruptly here on the Canadian Prairies this weekend. The air is very cool and crisp. The winds are blowing and the sun has yet to make an appearance from behind the clouds. I’m bundled up in a very cozy hoodie, sipping on tea and enjoying a spicy gingersnap cookie. And I feel happy. Sure, the chilly weather and winds were a bit of a pain at the farmer’s market this morning. But coming home to cuddle up with some blankets, brew a pot of tea and devour some cookies was the perfect reward for spending time out in the chilly weather. Gingersnaps seem like the perfect fall treat. Delicious cinnamon combined with spicy ginger and a hint of molasses conjure up so many memories of fall.
I know that gingersnap cookie recipes are a dime a dozen online. However, I wanted to share with you my very favourite gingersnap recipe. Over the years, my mom has made many a gingersnaps, but they’ve never been my favourite. I’d take a chocolate chip cookie over a gingersnap cookie any day! However, last fall, my mom made these for the first time and I was hooked. They are perfectly spicy, wonderfully soft and deliciously chewy. They are an ideal companion for a hot cup of tea. And the best part of all – baking a batch or two is incredibly easy. And on a day like today, baking is the perfect way to pass the time. I may have to make another batch tomorrow. These cookies disappear quickly!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of white sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons of fancy molasses
- 2 cups of all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon of ground ginger
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons of white sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
Method
1. Heat oven to 350’F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bow (or with your stand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and molasses, one at a time, beating well between each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
3. Place flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a separate bowl and mix well. Add to the butter mixture and beat until everything is well incorporated. Scrape down the side of the bowl again and beat one more time.
4. On small plate, combine the 3 tablespoons of sugar and the 3/4 teaspoon of ground ginger. Break off small pieces of dough and roll into 1 inch balls. Roll the cookie balls in the ginger/sugar mixture. Place each sugar coated cookie ball on the prepared cookie sheets – 2 inches apart. Using a glass cup, press down on each ball until nicely flattened. Note: If cup sticks to dough, dip the bottom of the glass in the sugar mixture.
5. Place one cookie sheet in a 350’F oven and bake cookies for 12 minutes. Cool cookies on sheet then transfer to a wire cookie rack. Repeat with second sheet of cookies.
Yield: 24 to 30 cookies (12 larger cookies on each sheet or 15 smaller)
Source: Mom (originally from Family Circle September 2011)
gingersnaps are the epitome of autumn. the brand we used to get when i was little had a black and orange box, which is synonymous with halloween. your cookies look delicious!
Awe, thanks Caitlin! :) I just read that blackstrap molasses is vegan. Do you have a gluten-free recipe for ginger snaps?
the cracks are looking beautiful on the cookies… ginger cookies are my favorite since i was four or five… i would ask my dad to get ginger cookies every time when they would get over. i recently got a packet of ginger cookies from as store… i still have to try making these at home…
You should definitely try making these at home. The smell as they are baking is wonderful! And they are so soft and chewy when they come out of them oven. Love them! :)
Gingersnaps with plenty of molasses are my favorite! And FANCY molasses–even better. :) I can’t wait to try these out!
I love that it’s called “fancy” molasses! :) My boyfriend thought the name was hilarious. I prefer fancy molasses for baking. Although, cooking molasses is nice too. I find blackstrap molasses a little too strong for these cookies. Hope you enjoy making and eating these cookies! :)
I love soft and chewy ginger cookies but usually wait until the holidays to make them .. you’ve got me craving them now though!
I just could not wait for the holidays! *hehe* My mom made these gingersnaps for my sister’s wedding shower back in May. I’ve been craving them since! I love dipping them in my tea every evening. So yummy!
i love gingersnaps and these look yummy. what is “fancy” molasses? i presume not blackstrap but anything else that makes it “fancy” vs just molasses?
Fancy molasses is a very light coloured and light tasting molasses. You could also use standard cooking molasses. I would not use blackstrap molasses in these cookies, as I find it a bit too bitter and strong. But that’s my personal preference. :)
i am bookmarking this recipe – i recently made gingersnap cookies but wasn’t particularly impressed by the recipe, these look AMAZING!
I think you will really enjoy these :) They were nice and soft for the few days they lasted. *hehe*
They look great! I love the warming feeling of ground ginger.
Awe, thanks! Me too! I love the warm, spiciness of ginger in baking.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting! :)
You have me so craving gingersnaps – these look so good, and your description crunchy on the outside chewy on the inside has me hooked!
Fall made a small appearance yesterday but we are looking at going from 60’s to 80’s this week – crazy weather I tell you!
It’s definitely cooling off very quickly here! It hit 32’F over night! BRRRRR! Thankfully it will be about 70’F during the day. But I can feel winter coming. Booooo! *hehe*
I would choose a ginger cookie over chocolate chip every time! I prefer the soft chewy ginger cookies over the crisp gingersnaps though…these ones sound perfect!
These were so addictive! The soft, chewy texture was perfect. I have to make sure not to make these too often! I could not stop eating them. *hehe*
MAKE ME SOME for VD premiere!!
*haha* Okay, I shall :) We should order Gondola Pizza for our season premiere night too!