Sugar- Topped Molasses Spice Cookies

Big Soft Guy!

Ginger Molasses cookies are one of my favourite favourite cookies. Since I already have an excellent recipe in my repertoire (see Ginger Molasses Cookies), it will be interesting to taste and compare the two.

This recipe uses cinnamon, ginger, allspice and pepper. I used white pepper for these cookies as in the German pfeffernusse cookies for Christmas. The instruction is straight forward: Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and molasses followed by the dry ingredients. Since the dough is very soft it is chilled for a least 1 hour. Once ready the dough can be hand rolled into balls ( I weighed mine to 55g) and rolled into sugar. Place on parchment lined baking sheets and press gently to 1/4 inch thickness using a glass dipped into sugar to press down on the cookies. I just pressed down gently with my palms and sprinkled more sugar on top. It works as well. I also placed the cookies back into the fridge to minimize the cookies from spreading. Bake for 12 minutes @ 350F.

Now the taste test. These cookies are nice and soft with lots of molasses taste. Almost nearing a slight bitter taste.

My other recipe (adapted from Williams-Sonoma Baking) uses less molasses and incorporates clove and orange zest. Which I think produces a better flavour and less bitterness. My recipe also calls for shortening which I'm sure I could substitute for all butter. I'll have to try that next time. Better yet, use the Dorie recipe and just add the zest of one orange and 1 teaspoon of clove instead of allspice. By George, I think I've got it!

Sugar-Topped Molasses Spice Cookies

Ingredients:2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
pinch cracked or coarsely ground black pepper
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses (not blackstrap)
1 large egg1/2 cup sugar, for rolling

Directions:
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, allspice and pepper.

Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add the brown sugar and molasses and beat for 2 minutes or so to blend, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the egg and beat for 1 minute more. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients, mixing until the flour and spices disappear. If some flour remains in the bottom of the bowl, to avoid over-beating the dough, mix in the last of the dry ingredients by hand with a rubber spatula. You'll have a smooth, very soft dough.

Divide the dough in half and wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Freeze for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (The dough can be kept refrigerated for up to 4 days.)
Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Put the sugar in a small bowl.

Working with one packet of dough at a time, divide it into 12 pieces, and roll each piece into a smooth ball between your palms. One by one, roll the balls around in the bowl of sugar , then place them on one of the baking sheets. Dip the bottom of a glass into the sugar and use it to press down on the cookies until they are between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick.

Bake the cookies one sheet at a time for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the tops feel set to the touch. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and, if the cookies have spread and are touching, use the edge of a metal spatula to separate them while they are still hot.

Transfer the cookies to a rack to cool to room temperature. Repeat with the second batch of dough. Yield: about 24 fairly large cookies (I got a few more)

Storage: The cookies will keep for at least 1 week in the cookie jar. Wrapped airtight, they can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Adapted recipe from Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan.