Ginger Cookies

What do you do with the ground mustard that sits, dejected and lonely, on your cupboard shelf? Throw it in some cookies! Skeptical? I was too, but decided to try these out anyway. After all, I do love strange ingredients and new recipes. I followed this recipe exactly the first time but modified it slightly for my second batch. These cookies are very gingery but not overpowering. The grated ginger gives you a little punch of flavor every time you bite, while still allowing the flavors of the other spices to pull through. I enjoy the subtle presence of the mustard and pepper; they really add to, and support the overall flavor rather than dominating it. These ginger cookies are delicious and beautiful, and will probably leave you wanting more.

2 3/4 -3 C All-purpose Flour
1 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
1 1/4 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Ground Allspice
3/4 tsp Ground Mustard
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
3/4 C Unsalted Butter
1/2 C Sugar, plus more for rolling the cookies
1/4 C Brown Sugar
1 Large Egg Yolk
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 Cup Molasses
2 T Ginger Root, freshly grated

Whisk the four, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, mustard, salt, and black pepper together in a medium bowl.

Beat the butter and sugars with an electric mixer on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat on medium speed until just incorporated, about 20 seconds. Cover the bowl with plastic and refrigerate the dough until firm, about 25 minutes.

Put 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl. Scoop dough out with a cookie scoop and roll, by hand, into balls. Roll the tops of the balls in the sugar and space 2 inches apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Refrigerate 25-30 minutes. (The chilling is what gives the cookie a beautiful, crackly crunch on top, and a soft, chewy center.)

Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes, being careful to not overbake. Let the cookies rest for 3 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Mahlzeit!
-Coriaunty