Chewy Ginger Cookies

Deliciously chewy cookies packed with three forms of ginger - ground, fresh, and crystallized - plus warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. These cookies feature a crackly sugar coating and rich molasses flavor.

24 servings
37 min

Ingredients

  • cups all-purpose flour
  • teaspoons ground ginger
  • teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¾ cup dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup vegetable shortening
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 whole egg
  • ½ cup blackstrap molasses
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup crystallized ginger
  • 1 cup raw sugar

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Arrange racks in lower and upper thirds of oven; preheat to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour, ground ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat brown sugar, shortening, and butter in a large bowl, scraping down sides halfway through beating, until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add egg, molasses, grated ginger, and vanilla; beat just to blend. Add flour mixture; beat on low speed just to blend. Mix in crystallized ginger (dough will be very soft and sticky).

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Place raw sugar in a shallow bowl. Using a tablespoon measure, scoop out dough. Using a second spoon, scoop dough from tablespoon measure into bowl with raw sugar; turn to coat well. Roll into a ball. Transfer to prepared baking sheet. Repeat with half of remaining dough and sugar, spacing balls 1 1/2" apart.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges are firm and centers appear cracked, 10-12 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks and let cool. Repeat with remaining dough and sugar, using cooled baking sheets and new parchment. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature between sheets of parchment or waxed paper.

    12 min

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