Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

Years ago my friend, Lindsey, made these cookies for me. They were the best Ginger Cookies I have ever had!  They are soft and chewy, with just the right amount of ginger.  I knew I had to have the recipe.  She graciously shared it with me, and these cookies have been on my Christmas baking list ever since. 

CHEWY GINGER COOKIES

 In a mixing bowl pour in 2/3 cup of oil (I just canola but vegetable would work too).

 Add one cup of sugar and beat until well incorporated.

 Now mix in one egg.

 Stir in a 1/4 cup molassess

 2 cups flour

 2 teaspoons of baking soda

 and the spices:  1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves.

 Take one and 1/4 tablespoons of dough and roll into a nice ball.  Roll each ball in sugar (this is about 1/3 cup of sugar in a small bowl).  Sometimes I will half the balls to make smaller (and more) cookies.

 Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and flatten slightly.  (I use a glass cup to do this.)

 Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until the top of the cookies crack.  Remove from pan and let cool on a wire rack.

 Again (I know I say this every time, but its important), if you want these to be soft and chewy DO NOT OVERBAKE!  If you like a hard crisp gingersnap-like cookie, you can bake them longer.

 

CHEWY GINGERBREAD COOKIES

2/3 cup vegetable oil

 1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
 2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
 1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
 1/3 cup white sugar

In a large bowl mix oil and 1 cup of sugar. Add egg, beat well. Stir in molasses, 2 cups flour, baking soda and spices. If necessary, add more flour to make a firm dough.Shape dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Roll in 1/3 cup sugar, flatten slightly. Place 3 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven, 10 to 12 minutes or until tops crack. Remove from baking sheet and cool on rack.