The softness and chewiness of these ginger cookies are remarkable. Additionally, the flavour of the ginger is exactly great. There are no doubts about it—they are really drool-worthy. For maximum indulgence, serve them with a hot cup of tea or your preferred morning coffee. What are you still holding out for? Put on your apron, preheat the oven, and make these incredibly tasty delights!
Ginger cookies are the ultimate sweet and fragrant treat. Who can resist such aromatic warmth and spice? Put these tiny treats in the oven to fill your house with the most amazing fragrance. It instantly improves your mood! It's a marriage made in heaven when sweet and spicy flavours are combined. Don't even think about the texture.
Ginger cookies' historical journey begins with the use of ginger in Greek and Egyptian rituals and medicinal practices. However, gingerbread as we know it has its roots in the Middle Ages, attributed to the Crusaders who brought this treat to Europe during the 10th and 11th centuries. In 992, an Armenian monk named Gregory Makar is believed to have introduced gingerbread to France, further spreading its popularity.
Sweden saw the emergence of gingerbread in the 13th century, likely brought by German immigrants, and Swedish nuns were making gingerbread by 1444, touting its digestive benefits. England recorded its first gingerbread recipe in 1390, featuring a blend of honey, ginger, and bread crumbs, possibly influenced by returning crusaders. Initially used for medicinal purposes like treating indigestion, gingerbread eventually transformed into a beloved dessert.
By the 18th century, ginger and spices became more accessible, fueling the spread of gingerbread as a cherished Christmas treat. Gingerbread man-shaped moulds even entertained Queen Elizabeth I. Despite its popularity, gingerbread has a complex history, facing associations with superstitions and voodoo, leading to bans in certain European regions. Ginger cookies have since evolved from their medicinal beginnings into beloved holiday delights.
They have an unbeatably crispy exterior and an unbelievably soft and chewy interior. You won't be able to stop yourself from eating them since they are soft, a little chewy, and flavoured with the ideal combination of spices.
Here's how you can make these cookies at home:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of white sugar
- 2 and 1/4 cups of all-purpose 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 large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 tablespoon of water
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Set aside the 2 tablespoons of white sugar in a small bowl. Later, you'll employ this to coat the cookie dough.
- Mix the flour, salt, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl. This dry mixture should be set aside.
- Cream the softened margarine and 1 cup of white sugar in a separate, large mixing bowl until it is frothy and light. You can accomplish this either by hand with a wooden spoon or with an electric mixer.
- After adding the egg, thoroughly blend the mixture by stirring in the molasses and water.
- Add the flour and spices gradually to the wet ingredients (butter, sugar, egg, molasses, and water). Stir everything together thoroughly. The dough should be thick and just barely sticky.
- Create little, 1-inch-diameter balls out of the dough. The 2 tablespoons of white sugar that were set aside should be used to coat each ball.
- On a baking sheet that has not been greased, arrange the covered dough balls, leaving space between them because they will spread while baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies are slightly cracked and flattened.