Ginger Cookies

Redneck Epicurean's Note:

Wrote this recipe down while watching Food Network while recovering from surgery. It was featured in the "Food Network Caters Your Hawaiian Wedding". This was one of Paula Deen's contributions. I love ginger cookies and can't wait until I can get in the kitchen and whip up a batch. They looked SOO good!

• Total Time: 37 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 12 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 3 dozen

• ¾ cup vegetable shortening
• 1 cup sugar , plus more for rolling
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup molasses
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats.
3. Using an electric mixer at low speed, cream the shortening and sugar until thoroughly combined.
4. Add the egg and molasses and beat until completely incorporated.
5. Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt and add to the mixture.
6. Stir until combined.
7. Roll the dough into balls about 1-inch in diameter.
8. Roll the balls in sugar.
9. Place 1/2-inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets.
10. Flatten the balls slightly with your fingertips.
11. Bake for 12 minutes.
12. Cool on wire racks.

Reviews

[Mairghread]

I have a passion for ginger and all things gingery so I made these for Christmas. My roommate's daughter pronounced them 'the best ginger cookies ever' and, since there are now only crumbs in the box, it's safe to say they were a hit for everyone.

[Croft Girl]

I made these following the recipe exactly except I used a heaping teaspoon of ginger. I also used a cookie scoop rather than rolling them by hand. They came out beautifully...crunchy enough to snap after they cooled but still with a bit of "chew" in the center. It's really important that you sift the dry ingredients! The perfect ginger cookie, IMHO.