Description
Ginger spice delight cookies bring warmth from traditional German holiday baking traditions. Molasses and ground ginger create a perfectly spiced cookie that melts in your mouth, inviting memories of festive winter evenings when you gather with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups (315 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) baking soda
- 1 tablespoon (6 grams) ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon (2 grams) ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon (1 gram) ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.25 grams) ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon (1.5 grams) salt
Wet Ingredients:
- ¾ cup (170 grams) butter, softened
- 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) prepared dark coffee
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) molasses
Finishing Ingredient:
- ¼ cup (50 grams) white sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure smooth cookie removal and prevent sticking.
- In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and salt using a whisk. Ensure all dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Using an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light, airy, and transforms into a pale, fluffy consistency.
- Incorporate the large egg, dark brewed coffee, and molasses into the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until the liquid ingredients are completely integrated and the mixture appears smooth and uniform.
- Gradually fold the prepared dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix carefully, scraping down the bowl’s sides to guarantee complete incorporation and a consistent dough texture.
- Form the cookie dough into uniform 1-inch (2.5-centimeter) balls using your hands. Roll each ball generously in granulated white sugar, creating a sparkling, sweet exterior.
- Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, positioning them approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) apart to allow adequate spreading during baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, watching for the cookies to set and develop slight cracking on top without becoming overly dark.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Carefully transfer to wire cooling racks to complete the cooling process and achieve the perfect texture.
Notes
- Spice Preparation Tip: Freshly ground spices intensify the cookie’s warm, aromatic flavor, elevating the entire baking experience.
- Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened but not melted to achieve the perfect creamy texture that creates light, tender cookies.
- Sugar Coating Technique: Rolling dough balls in white sugar before baking creates a delightful crackled surface and adds a sweet, crispy exterior.
- Coffee Enhancement: Dark coffee deepens the rich, complex flavor profile, complementing the warm spices and adding unexpected depth.
- Cooling Critical: Letting cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes helps them set properly, preventing crumbling and maintaining structural integrity.
- Storage Recommendation: Store in an airtight container to preserve moisture and maintain the cookies’ soft, chewy texture for several days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 116 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 74 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg