With the cool fall air that's been swirling about these days, it only seems fitting that the first cookie recipe I've made in weeks should be a warmly spiced ginger cookie. While many people are mourning the sudden demise of summer, I for one couldn't be happier about these newly arrived sweater-wearing days. I'm an autumn girl through and through, and the idea of swapping popsicles and lemonade for hot tea and crisp cookies is perfectly fine with me. Especially if the cookies are coated in Demerara sugar and flecked with ginger, cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg.
Ginger Cookies
adapted from Alice Medrich's Chewy, Gooey, Crispy Crunch
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup Demerara sugar
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Combine the flours, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium-sized mixing bowl and stir together with a fork or a whisk.
Combine the warm butter, molasses, sugars, vanilla and egg in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Add the flour mixture, and stir to incorporate.
The dough will be soft. Chill for 15-30 minutes until it's firm enough to roll. Form 1" balls with the dough and roll in the Demerara. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet - 2 inches apart - and bake for 9-10 minutes.
Allow to cool completely before eating. Store in an air-tight container for up to one week.
These look fab - I adore chewy, crisp ginger cookies!
Posted by: Julie | 09/07/2011 at 07:11 PM
One of my favourite cookies! Yours look wonderful.
P.S. As much as I enjoy the beauty of Fall, I'm a Summer gal through and through. Going to miss it :)
Posted by: Paula | 09/08/2011 at 02:30 PM
Just finished making a batch of these cookies for my son who LOVES ginger cookies....they turned out amazing! I am a terrible baker and these looked and tasted right out of a magazine!
Posted by: Maria | 09/08/2011 at 09:08 PM
HI Maria - That is so awesome, thank you for letting me know. Im REALLY glad they worked out for you.
Posted by: Jan Scott | 09/09/2011 at 10:57 AM
I can't find any whole wheat pastry flour where I live. Any substitution suggestions?
Posted by: brandy | 09/13/2011 at 02:06 PM
Hi Brandy - You can replace the whole wheat pastry flour with all purpose and it will work just fine.
Posted by: Jan Scott | 09/13/2011 at 03:53 PM
Amazing flavor! Thanks for sharing this recipe. It just became my fall favorite.
Posted by: brandy | 09/27/2011 at 04:40 PM
Oh, great!!
Posted by: Jan Scott | 09/27/2011 at 06:30 PM
Can't wait to make these. This weekend for sure. We all love a yummy ginger cookie!
Posted by: Pam | 10/17/2011 at 08:48 PM