These cookies are a delightful mix of spices with a soft center, complemented by a sweet sugary finish. Perfect for the holidays or as a sweet treat year-round!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (150 g) packed dark brown sugar
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 Tbs ground cinnamon
- 1 Tbs ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 12 Tbs (170 g) unsalted butter, softened but still cool, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) unsulphured molasses (not blackstrap)
- 2 Tbs milk
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar (for rolling)
- 1/2 cup (60 g) confectioners’ sugar (for rolling)
Instructions:
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Using an electric mixer, blend together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt on low speed. Continue until all ingredients are well combined, which should take about 20 seconds.
- Add Butter: Introduce the butter pieces to the mixer. Continue blending at medium-low speed until the mix becomes sandy and has the consistency of a fine meal. This step should take roughly 1 1/2 minutes.
- Introduce Molasses & Milk: Shift the mixer's speed to low. Gradually pour in the molasses and milk, ensuring that the dough becomes uniformly moist. Once achieved, increase to medium speed and blend until everything is well combined.
- Shape & Chill: Transfer the dough onto a work surface and divide it into two portions. Form each into a round disk, wrap in plastic, and freeze until firm, usually between 20 to 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can refrigerate the dough for 2 hours or even overnight.
- Preheat & Prep: As baking time approaches, preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Form & Coat Dough Balls: Once the dough has chilled, scoop out heaping tablespoons, and form them into balls. Ensure you don't overwork the dough. First, roll each ball in the granulated sugar, ensuring a generous coat. Then, transfer to confectioners’ sugar and roll again. Arrange these sugared dough balls on the baking sheets, keeping about 1 inch of space between them.
- Bake & Cool: Place the cookies in the oven and bake until their centers are set, typically around 12 minutes. Remember, they should not be overbaked. After baking, allow them to cool on the sheets for a couple of minutes. Following this, transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool down to room temperature.
Serving: Enjoy your Ginger Molasses Sugar Cookies with a warm cup of tea or milk. Their unique blend of spices and sweet sugar coating offers a taste that's both comforting and festive!
