Cookery

Ginger Cookies

Cookies baked and photographed by Ben McNutt

Recipe by Carlyn Clark

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Yield: 36 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine, at room temperature
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cooking Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325F. Line 2 cookies sheets w/parchment or wax paper & grease lightly.
2. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream 1/2 cup granulated sugar with brown sugar, butter and margarine until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg, continuing to blend well. Add the molasses.
4. Sift the dry ingredients together 3 times, then stir into butter mixture.
5. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
6. Place the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a shallow dish.
7. Roll tablespoons of dough into balls, then roll in sugar to coat.
8. Place the balls 2" apart on prepared cookie sheets and flatten slightly. Sprinkle a little more sugar on top of each cookie.
9. Bake until slightly golden around edges, but still soft in the middle (12 - 15 minutes). Let stand for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool.

**To make Gingerbread Men: increase the amount of flour by 1/4 cup. After refrigerating the dough roll it out and cut shapes with a cookie cutter.