Ginger Spice Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger – 1 package 2-3 ounces
• 1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, room temperature } butter
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature }
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup mild-flavored (light) molasses
• Sugar

Method

Combine first 6 ingredients in medium bowl; whisk to blend. Mix in crystallized ginger. Using electric mixer, beat brown sugar, shortening and butter in large bowl until fluffy. Add egg and molasses and beat until blended. Add flour mixture and mix just until blended. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter 2 baking sheets. Spoon sugar in thick layer onto small plate. Using wet hands, form dough into 1 1/4-inch balls; roll in sugar to coat completely. Place balls on prepared sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.

Bake cookies until cracked on top but still soft to touch, about 12 minutes. Cool on sheets 1 minute. Carefully transfer to racks and cool. (Can be made 5 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)

Note: She used butter in place of the vegetable shortening. She also noted that these are “the best ginger-bread cookies ever!”