this recipe IS a snap

i found this recipe for these gingersnap cookies many years ago in some book. the recipe for them seems to be ubiquitously floating around over the internet. there are several variations possible, as in all recipes. this particular one works well and is simple. the teaspoon each of cloves & cinnamon balances the ginger and is, in my opinion, necessary for the success of these gingersnaps. after a few minutes baking, these little balls of dough reveal a beautiful sugary top interspersed with random deep fault lines. they taste as good as they look and are so good when gobbled up directly from the oven.

sinfulicious ginger snaps

ingredients:

3/4 c shortening [crisco]
1 c sugar
1 egg
1/4 c molasses

2 c AP flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp each of: cinnamon, cloves & ginger

method:

heat oven to 350 F.

mix wet ingredients in one bowl & dry in another.

incorporate the dry into the wet and mix to make a dough.

take scant tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. take a small dish of sugar and dip half of the ball into it.

place the unsugared part down on a baking sheet [i didn't grease mine] and cook for 12 - 15 minutes.


if you like them more chewy then opt for the lesser amount of cooking time. i like the 14 to 15 minute range.

they will firm further on cooling.

let the cookies firm up a bit on the pan before removing to a baking rack to cool.

makes 3 dozen and a few extra.