ginger molasses cookies

Cookies are the best to send off to friends in the mail. This upcoming week is my good friend, Patty's birthday. As a little gift, I decide to bake a few batches of cookies. One of my favorites are ginger cookies, I'm constantly looking for new and unique recipes. As an alternative I decided to substitute blackstrap molasses for regular molasses. Blackstrap molasses is a healthful sweetener that contains significant amounts of a variety of minerals that promote your health.

ginger molasses cookies 

adapted from Aquavit's gingerbread cookies  

ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour 
• 1 teaspoons baking soda 
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper 
• 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoons sugar 
• 1 stick butter 
• 1 egg 
• 1/3 cup (105g) molasses  

directions

1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cloves, cardamom, salt and pepper. Add the sugar, butter, egg, and molasses and beat with a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth.
2. Divide the dough into 5 equal pieces and form into a log. Wrap each log in a piece of parchment paper and put in the freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 350∞ F.
4. Cut each log into 1/4" slices. Arrange the slices on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, leaving an inch between each piece. Bake, turning the pan halfway through baking, until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly.