Soft-batch ginger molasses cookies

Perfectly spiced & melt-in-your-mouth chewy

I love unassuming desserts — I guess I'm selfish that way. People tend not to reach for the plain and simple sweets, which means more for me! These cookies are kinda that way. I turned to the interwebs in search of a chewy gingersnap for the holidays and found one with great reviews on All Recipes. I took other bakers' advice, subbing butter for shortening, and I switched up the spices for some flavor depth.

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SOFT-BATCH GINGER MOLASSES COOKIES

WHAT YOU'LL NEED
2 cups flour 
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter, softened but cool
1 cup white sugar
1 egg (or 1/3 cup applesauce — I used cinnamon applesauce)
1/4 cup molasses
cinnamon-sugar mix (1/4 cup sugar + 1 TBS cinnamon)

WHAT YOU'LL DO
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease with butter or cooking spray.

2. Whisk together flour, spices, baking soda, and salt until combined.

3. Using an electric mixer, beat butter until creamy. Slowly beat in sugar, egg (or applesauce), and molasses. Adding a bit at a time, slowly beat in flour mixture until just combined. 

4. Combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon in a small bowl and thoroughly mix. Pinch off pieces of dough and roll into 1-inch balls, rolling each in the cinnamon-sugar mix. 

5. Place on the prepared cookie sheet and bake 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheet for about 10 minutes, then move to a cooling rack. *Note: If the dough is especially soft and difficult to roll, place the dough in the fridge for 10 minutes before rolling/baking.

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I baked these cookies for 10 minutes and they turned out super soft. My dad said they were like eating cookie dough — so if that's your weakness, then these are the cookies for you! I loved the flavor and chewiness, but even so, I might try baking them a couple minutes longer next time to see if they'll crisp up on the outside and stay soft inside. With such yummy flavor, you can't go wrong either way.