I have a strong love for cookies. Oreos, especially, but I don’t discriminate. I love all cookies, though I definitely prefer cookies that are soft and chewy over crispy crunchy cookies. I have a ton of go-to recipes that I’ve been making for years, but I’m always on the lookout for new recipes to try and adapt. When I found these chewy ginger cookies, I knew they would be in heavy rotation.

Until recently, I thought that I didn’t like ginger. In the past, I had tried a few recipes that included ginger, and it just wasn’t my thing. I would always omit the ginger from any recipe I found. When I went to eat sushi, if the ginger touched a piece of my roll, it was all I could taste and it killed all of the other flavors. I wasn’t a fan.

When I realized my love for ginger

Well, over the holidays, my husband’s entire family was in town visiting (from California and Canada). The 12 of us spent 10 days together filled with food, laughs, and Nintendo Wii. It was great! One night we were having dinner at my in-law’s house, and my MIL had made breaded chicken in a spicy ginger sauce. I was going to eat it, even though I knew I wouldn’t like it, but I actually loved it! I was so surprised! I guess your tastes do change every few years.

Now I know the real truth – I LOVE ginger. Who knew? While my husband’s family was here, I suggested that we have a day of cookie baking, and everyone agreed. I had one recipe in mind that I wanted to make, but asked everyone else what they’d like. My sister in law suggested ginger snaps. Having just discovered that I actually did like ginger, I was totally game!

Everyone’s favorite cookies

So I went looking for a recipe for ginger cookies we could start with. I came across one, tweaked it a bit, and everyone fell in love! I’ve made them about 5 times since Christmas, and each time they only last a few days. They are perfectly chewy, with a nice ginger flavor and a kick of spice. If you’ve ever had the snicker doodle cookies from Trader Joe’s, they are similar to that, but better. Yes, I said it. MUCH better.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ginger
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 Tbs water
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup sugar (for rolling)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Sift together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, & salt.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and one cup sugar. Add in egg, then once combined, the water and molasses.
4. Add in the dry ingredients in thirds until well combined.
5. Form into 1″ balls and roll in remaining sugar
6. Bake for 8 minutes.

Challenge: See how long you can actually keep these in the house.

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