Gingersnaps

Recipe by PJ Hamel
245 Reviews 4.7 out of 5 stars

These crunchy, spicy gingersnaps (aka ginger snap cookies) have beautifully cracked, sugary tops and are equally at home dunked in tea, coffee, or milk. While they're frequently enjoyed during the November/December holiday season, they're just as welcome on a mellow, golden, late-September afternoon, with a comfortable lounge chair and a large glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade.

Prep
12 mins
Bake
11 to 13 mins
Total
23 mins
Yield
about 5 dozen cookies
Gingersnaps - select to zoom
Gingersnaps - select to zoom
Gingersnaps - select to zoom
Gingersnaps - select to zoom

Instructions

Prevent your screen from going dark as you follow along.

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) two baking sheets.

  2. Beat together the shortening, sugar, salt, and baking soda.

  3. Beat in the egg, then the molasses.

  4. Add the flour and spices, beating to make a smooth, fairly stiff dough.

  5. To make the coating, combine the sugar and cinnamon, and place in a shallow pan or dish.

  6. Drop the dough in 1" balls into the cinnamon-sugar mixture; a teaspoon cookie scoop is perfect here.

  7. Roll the balls in the sugar to coat, then transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 1 1/2" between them; they'll spread as they bake.

  8. Bake the gingersnaps for 11 minutes, for cookies that are crisp around the edges, and "bendy" in the center. Bake for 13 minutes, for cookies that are crisp/crunchy all the way through.

  9. Remove the gingersnaps from the oven, and cool right on the pan, or on a rack. Cool completely, then store tightly wrapped, at room temperature.

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