Soft Molasses Cookies with Fresh Ginger

Courses: Dessert

Description

I love molasses cookies and they are one of my dad’s specialties. Apologies to my dad. I think this recipe is better. It uses fresh ginger and the cookies stay soft, just the way I like them. I know you’ll love them too.

Ingredients

⦁ ¼ cup peeled, chopped ginger
⦁ ¾ cup vegetable oil, divided
⦁ 1 ½ cups sugar, plus ½ cup for rolling
⦁ 6 tbsp molasses
⦁ 2 eggs
⦁ ¾ tsp salt
⦁ 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
⦁ 2 ½ + ⅛ tsp baking soda
⦁ ⅜ tsp ground cloves
⦁ 3 ½ cups flour

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 350°F
2
Mix ginger and ½ cup of the oil in a food processor until well minced. Set aside.
3
Strain oil from ginger into a small bowl using a fine mesh strainer. Wrap cheesecloth (or a clean handkerchief) around the ginger. Squeeze any remaining oil into the bowl. Reserve.
4
Blend 1 ½ cups sugar, molasses, and eggs.
5
Add the liquid strained from the ginger and remaining oil to the egg mixture. Blend well.
6
Mix salt, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves, and flour in a separate bowl.
7
Combine dry mixture with wet mixture.
8
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
9
Scoop dough into walnut-sized balls, roll in reserved sugar.
10
Place on a prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the tops crack and the cookies flatten.

Note

Quick Tips

This dish relies on layering flavor early. Browning the chicken and “blooming” the spices matter.

Serve with Bajan Rice and Peas or plain rice.

The butcher will cut a whole chicken into pieces if requested.

The potatoes break down as they cook, naturally thickening the sauce (“gravy” as my husband calls it).

To get bigger potato pieces in your dish, simmer one potato, cut into bite-sized chunks, until it's almost tender. Then add it during the last 15 minutes.

Thyme is traditionally added in small sprigs rather than measured. Adjust to taste.

Grocery List (By Department)

Produce

Fresh ginger

Baking & Dry Goods

Granulated sugar
All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Ground cinnamon
Ground cloves
Salt

Pantry

Molasses
Vegetable oil

Dairy

Eggs

Closing Note

These cookies strike the perfect balance between bold spice and soft, cozy comfort. Enjoy them with coffee and as a mid-afternoon snack. Confession? I’ve been known to have them with my morning coffee. Or have them after dinner when conversation stretches on. They’re also perfect as part of any holiday cookie tray.