MOLASSES GINGER CRINKLES

Molasses Ginger Crinkles image

Yield makes about 2 dozen 2-inch cookies

Number Of Ingredients 14

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12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unpacked light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup molasses
1 teaspoon coffee extract or pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon finely chopped crystallized ginger

Steps:

Cream the butter, 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar, and the brown sugar in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl with a wooden spoon and beat until light and fluffy (see Know-how, page 315). Slowly add the egg, molasses, and coffee extract, beating well to combine.
Combine the flour, ground ginger, fresh ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a separate bowl and stir to mix.
Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat just until combined. Cover the dough with plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight, until firm.
When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F.
Combine the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar and the crystallized ginger in a small shallow bowl and stir to mix. Pinch off small pieces of the dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in the sugar-ginger mixture to coat evenly and arrange on ungreased baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is still soft. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Serve warm or transfer to a baking rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve, or for up to 3 days.