#13 - Soft Ginger Cookies

For my boss's birthday I offered to make cookies, whatever kind he wanted.   He said he liked gingersnaps, but then clarified that he actually liked them to be soft, not crunchy.  "So ginger-softs" he laughed.  After just a bit of googling I found a recipe for big, soft ginger cookies that seemed promising.  It's hard to say no to a recipe that has a 5 star rating, has been reviewed over 2500 times, and has been saved by more than 77,500 people.  Not surprisingly, it was on allrecipes.com, of which I've become a big fan.  These turned out very well (if just slightly undercooked, I've adjusted the instructions below) and were a big hit with everyone at work.  I think I like the ginger sugar cookies I made back in January better than these, but these were still very, very yummy.  In other noteworthy news, I've discovered that I really like making cookies.  It's a pleasant, calming activity with delightful, friendly results.  Lucky recipe #13 - scrumptious!

Big Soft Ginger Cookies
2 and 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup margarine, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoons white sugar (for rolling)

Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.  Set aside.  In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses.  Gradually stir in the sifted ingredients.

Shape dough into walnut sized balls and roll them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar.  Place the cookies 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Flatten them slightly.

Bake for 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven.  Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before removing to a wire rack to cool.  Store in an airtight container and they'll keep very well for a few days.  Makes about 3 dozen.

New ingredients: Nothing!  My goal of slowly building a fully stocked kitchen has already been reached!  I had ginger, cloves, and molasses on hand!
New skills: nothing, but it's nice to get more experience baking