Say… hypothetically speaking… you have six dollars in your wallet and very close to zero dollars in your bank account and you need to make something for lunchdinner.
Also… you have a very daunting blank Word document in front of you that you’re supposed to fill with words and pictures and recipes and more words.
You’ve run out of people to text message as a distraction.
You can’t waste another minute of time on Twitter… you’ve tried… seriously.
You’ve exhausted your brain by imagining every combination of human and animal body part…. your favorite being a chubby, blue-eyed toddler with cocker spaniel ears. huh!?
Oh! And you found one lonely egg in your fridge. Hypothetically speaking of course.
So.
Q: What would you do with yourself?
A: Make cookies.
I mean… come on… it’s the only logical/delicious option.
Would it be considered an overshare if I told you that these cookies make me feel good about myself? They’re good for the baking self-esteem.
Well it’s true.
This jar of molasses helps. It’s bright and blue and reminds me of tropical vacations that I’ve never taken.
Then there’s the part when I open the oven door and a giant puff of warm spiced oven-cookie-air hits my face, and I pull of a tray of these soft, chewy, spiced, chocolate studded cookies.
Chewy cookies. Man. Instant self esteem booster in my book. I dunno. They make me feel good about my kitchen skills. It’s just true.
Chewy Ginger Chocolate Cookies
makes 4 dozen cookies
adapted from Big Fat Cookies
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup chocolate chips (milk chocolate or semi sweet)
1/4 cup granulated sugar, for rolling dough balls
Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or just spray lightly with cooking spray.
Sift the flour, baking soda, spices and salt into a medium bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and brown sugar until smoothly blended, about 2 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed during mixing. Add the egg and molasses and mix until blended and an even light color, about 1 minute. On low speed, add the flour mixture, mixing just to incorporate it. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Spread the granulated sugar into a small bowl. Roll a heaping tablespoon of dough between the palms of your hands into a ball, toss the ball in sugar to coat and place on the prepared baking sheet. Continue making cookies, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake the cookies one sheet at a time until the tops feel firm but they are still soft in the center and there are several large cracks on top, about 12-14 minutes. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then use a wide metal spatula to transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
The cookies can be stored in a tightly covered container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
HappyWhenNotHungry
Chocolate and ginger sounds so delicious paired together! I will definitely have to try this one. Thanks for sharing :-)
PeaSoup
I’ve just discovered molasses! I can imagine they make an uber chewy cookie – I just adore ginger too:) Another winner!
Kylie @ A Hungry Spoon
Chocolate and ginger sounds like such a unique combination! I have a birthday cake cookbook that my husband picks his birthday cake out from each year, and last year he requested the recipe for Gingerbread Cupcakes with Milk Chocolate Frosting. I can’t lie: I teased him mercilessly for choosing such a weird combo. But it did end up to be a tasty recipe! I have no doubt he’ll be begging for your cookie recipe as soon as he sees it :)
Have a great week!
Kareene
I have the same recipe (without the chocolate) for sooo long ; I make them once a while, but they never last long around here…. Will have to try to add chocolate, see if it last less longer ! :)
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday
It’s funny that I made almost the exact same recipe last night!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
That first photo is my fave — so lovely!! I’ll take a few of these, please :)
I’ve been in that same bank account situation recently. No fun!
Andrea
This pretty much made me instantly think of fall and Christmas – yes, I realize those are not simultaneous seasons/holidays – and I wished I lived somewhere it snowed.
Musketnuss
They’re so perfect for grey weather. Thanks!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
Ginger chocolate sounds like a fabulous combination!
Lauren at KeepItSweet
cookies are really always the solution:-)
Tabitha (From Single to Married)
I LOVE Ginger cookies – am so going to try this recipe!
The Klutzy Cook
Nice cookies – love the chocolate bits. And I can’t think of a better way to boost self esteem either.
Joe @ Eden Kitchen
Yeah I agree – making cookies always makes me feel good too. Except for when I screw them up lol! Nice lookin recipe :) Love ginger cookies…
Silvia
The very thing I wanted to have, Joy you’re a genius, did you read my mind?
Thank you!
Stephanie
I love reading your posts before bedtime! Like dreamy goodnight stories :) I hope I dream about chewy ginger chocolate cookies tonight…