When I think about Christmas cookies, I think of the magnificent and decorative almond-flavored cookie-press cookies my great-grandmother used to make. Shaped like trees or candy canes, in one color or many, they were tradition. Every Christmas. Cookie-press cookies. It was like clockwork. Admittedly, I’ve tried a few times over the years to recreate her infamous treats, but to no avail. I just can’t seem to mimic her recipe.
So this year, when I was asked to participate in the office cookie swap, I did what any millennial without a fool-proof family recipe would do. I headed to Pinterest.
I had decided on peanut butter cookies, stuffed with Reese’s peanut butter cups and topped with a chocolate peanut butter drizzle, because yummm, but when I approached the sign-up list and saw that a few other people in the office had already staked their claim on the peanut butter theme, I had to go back to the drawing board.
Enter: Ginger Cookies. Not only are these suckers super festive (I mean, they’re ginger, after all), but they’re incredibly easy to make and wonderfully delicious. And – bonus – they’re so soft and chewy, unlike the hard (yet still delicious) gingersnaps of days gone by.
Ingredients: 3/4 c. shortening / 1 c. sugar + extra for rolling / 1 egg / 1/4 c. molasses / 2 c. flour / 2 tsp. baking soda / 3/4 tsp. salt / 1 tsp. cinnamon / 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
*Does anyone else find it interesting that ginger cookies only contain 1/2 teaspoon of ginger? Anyone? Bueller?
Directions: Preheat oven to 350˚F. / In a bowl, cream together shortening and 1 cup sugar. / Add egg and molasses and beat until combined. / Add flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and ginger. Mix until just combined. / Shape dough into balls and roll in sugar. / Place dough on parchment lined backing sheet and bake for 8 minutes. / Serve with a cold glass of milk and enjoy.
As a side note, I should mention that Skyler jumped at the opportunity to participate in the office cookie swap. He spent countless hours perfecting the detail that went into these cookies. And my oh my, are they something else.
Tiny Tales 
Ginger cookies are sooo good! Your photography is amazing! 🙂