Description
Ina Garten’s ginger snap cookies deliver classic spice with crisp edges and rich molasses depth. Warm kitchen aromas and simple ingredients make these classic treats perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup (168g) vegetable shortening
- ⅓ cup (113g) molasses
- 1 large egg
- 2 ⅓ cups (280g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
- 1 cup (198g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 2 tsps baking soda
- 1 ½ tsps ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp table salt
- ½ tsp cloves
Instructions
- Preparation: Heat oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for seamless cookie release.
- Creaming: Blend shortening, sugar, salt, and baking soda until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough.
- Wet Ingredients: Mix egg and dark molasses into the creamed mixture, ensuring complete integration and consistent texture.
- Dry Ingredients: Fold in flour and ground spices, gently combining until a uniform dough develops without overworking the mixture.
- Coating Station: Create a spiced sugar mixture by thoroughly combining granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow dish.
- Shaping and Coating: Form uniform 1-inch dough balls, then roll each completely in the cinnamon-sugar mixture for an even, aromatic exterior.
- Baking: Arrange coated dough balls on prepared sheets with adequate spacing, then bake for 11-13 minutes depending on desired cookie consistency – shorter time for softer centers, longer for crisp edges.
- Cooling and Storage: Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet or transfer to wire rack, then preserve in an airtight container to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Precise Dough Rolling: Keep dough balls consistently small (1 inch) to ensure uniform baking and perfect cookie texture.
- Temperature Precision: Oven temperature dramatically affects cookie crispness; 11 minutes yields softer centers, 13 minutes creates crunchier edges.
- Coating Technique: Thoroughly roll dough balls in cinnamon-sugar mixture for maximum flavor and attractive sparkling exterior.
- Storage Strategy: Use airtight container at room temperature to preserve gingersnaps’ crisp texture and prevent moisture absorption.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg