NABISCO® OLD FASHIONED GINGER SNAPS
Posted by: KC10 - Posted on: 10/18/2007
Originally Posted by: Cubbybear Posted on: 4/6/2003
Kay says, "I've recently had this insatiable craving for a snappy ginger snap cookie that I used to be able to buy at the grocery store but have been unable to find for several years. I think the brand name might have been Aunt Martha's, but I honestly don't remember. Anyway, they came in a brown paper bag and they had just the right 'bite' to them that made them, IMVHO, the best ginger snap!! They were so nice and crunchy and just a real pleasure to savor and enjoy with a nice hot cup of coffee or tea!! I was bemoaning my loss to purplechef and she told me she thought she might have the recipe for something that would be very much like what I was describing to her! Guess what? She was right on the money!!! These cookies are 'spot on' the PERFECT ginger snap!! I don't think I could get any closer to what I remember. In fact, I dare say these are even better!! I've now decided none of my other ginger snap cookies recipes is worth keeping. So they've all been tossed and this is the ONLY recipe I'll turn to now!
I do have a bit of a confession to make though. The first time I made these, the dough was soooooo soft and I couldn't figure out why. I was so sure I'm made them exactly as the recipe said. They came out beautifully shaped and tasted great. But they were soft and rather chewy. I ask Patty if she's ever had that problem and she assured me not. I even asked my dad, a former baker by profession, if he had any thoughts. Long story short, sort of, lol, when I made them again the other day, I finally think I figured out what I did wrong. I was working on two different cookies the first time I made these (and I was chatting on the phone to cllw !! LOL) I believe I used 1/2 c. shortening instead of the 1/4 c. I pulled out the other recipe the other day and discovered that little piece of evidence! :o) Anyway, this time I made them the 'right' way and they were absolutely perfect!! So........
NABISCO® OLD FASHIONED GINGER SNAPS
1 c. packed dark brown sugar
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. molasses
1/4 c. shortening
1 Tb. butter, softened
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 c. water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together the sugars, molasses, shortening, butter, egg, and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
In another large bowl combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, salt, cinnamon, and cloves. Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture and beat while adding the water. Continue to mix until ingredients are incorporated.
Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture and beat while adding the water. Continue to mix until ingredients are incorporated.
Measure a heaping teaspoon of dough at time. Roll the dough into a sphere between the palms of your hands then press the dough onto the cookie.
Flatten to about 1/8-inch thick.
Bake cookies for 10-14 minutes or until edges begin to brown and cookies are crispy when cool.
Makes 120 (10 dozen) cookies.
Kay's notes: This is definitely a crunchy cookie. So if you want a softer one, this isn't the recipe you'll want to use! The amount of ginger and molasses is, again, IMHO, what gives these cookies that little 'bite' I think a good ginger snap cookie has to have!
I used a 1" cookie scoop to shape my cookies and did NOT have to flatten them at all! They spread out beautifully all by themselves. But I also did NOT get 10 dozen cookies. I think to get that amount, you'd have to make 1/2" cookie balls! I got just over 5 dozen 3" cookies!