Molasses-Ginger Cookies ~ Martha Mondays

I have taken some time off from participating in Martha Mondays, just because I've been so busy or it was a dessert that I know would go to waste at our house. This week was my turn to choose and I love molasses cookies, and ginger cookies and I already have an awesome recipe for ginger molasses cookies that I love. So I thought it would be fun to try one of Martha Stewart's molasses cookies for Martha Mondays, just to see how they compare. I will have to post the other one later when I make em. To this recipe one I did make a few changes (ok what did you expect?) not too far off though, just tiny changes. I always add less sugar in cookies, quick breads, desserts and such than it calls for, because I don't like things too sweet. I also used only 1 teaspoon of ground ginger(I thought 2 was a bit much) and then I added 2 tablespoons of minced crystallized ginger (because I love crystallized ginger in stuff). I used 1/8 tsp of ground white pepper instead of 1 white peppercorn? I had some white pepper already on hand from when I made my chai spice mix and I like the extra bite that the ginger and pepper give it!

Molasses-Ginger Cookies ~ source ~ Martha Stewart

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 freshly ground white pepper (I used 1/8 tsp. of ground white pepper)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup firmly packed light-brown sugar (I used 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon molasses
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar, for rolling

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Into a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, pepper, and salt.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, brown sugar, and molasses until light and fluffy. Beat in egg until smooth. Add flour mixture; beat until combined. Wrap dough in plastic, flattened into a disk. Chill until firm, about 1 hour or overnight.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Make 1 1/2-inch balls of dough; roll each in sugar. Place them 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Chill 20 minutes.

Bake cookies, rotating baking sheets halfway through, until firm around the edges and slightly soft in the center, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container up to 3 days.

Makes 24 cookies.


I made the dough last night then baked some this morning before work and saved the rest to bake after I got home from work today. Last night when I made the batter I was surprised on how runny it was for us to be able to wrap in plastic and flatten into a disk. So I just put my batter bowl with it's lid on and put the whole thing in the fridge. When I got it out this morning to make the cookies the dough was perfect to work with. I just scooped it out with an ice cream scoop, rolled into balls and then dipped into some Martha Stewart sanding sugar I happened to already have on hand (it's pink but too light to tell).

The recipe was pretty easy or straight forward as far as Martha Stewart recipes go. The only odd step was to chill the dough for 20 minutes more after you roll and dip and place them on the cookie sheet. I didn't do that and they seemed fine with out it. Besides I really didn't have room for my large stoneware bar pan in the refrigerator.

They were very good and the texture was different from my usual molasses ginger cookies. They were lightly crisp on the outside and yet soft in the center. Mmmmm....so good when they were still warm from the oven.

They were just as good this morning for breakfast with my cup of coffee. So join us when you can for

Hosted by Brette of Martha and Me . You should check out all the other Martha Stewart recipes and products she checks out and reviews for us.

Also check out Brenda's blog Brenda's Canadian Kitchen she always has something fun going on. She hosts Cookbook Sunday's. I still am planning on joining that one of these weeks.

Pru of Perfecting Pru is always a faithful participant, except next week, she says she won't do clams! Huh! :D Her blog is delightful and full of insight. Full of family and everyday life (which I love).
Hope you all can sing along...I mean join in!