Christmas Cheer in a Cookie

A box of handwritten recipes is just one of the beautiful gifts my sweet late wife left me. In the very front of the recipe box is this recipe for chewy ginger molasses cookies, a family favourite—especially during the holidays. It seems appropriate to bake these for a special Christmas treat. It gives me great pleasure to share these with you: perfect cookies for Christmas guests; a generous gift, even if only for yourself. Rüdesheim Coffee (Kaffe) is a perfect accompaniment for these cookies.

Tools and Equipment for cookies

• • • Cups and spoon measures.
    • Mixing bowl.
    • Mixer, or mix master.
    • Cookie scoop.
    • Scale.
    • Baking sheet.
    • Parchment paper.
    • Heavy bottomed drinking glass—see photo; a large can of up-opened beans will do the same thing.
    • Oven.

Ingredients

• • • 1 1/2 cup of unsalted butter at room temperature.
    • 1 cup white sugar.
    • 1 cup of brown sugar packed.
    • 1/2 cup molasses.
    • 2 eggs.
    • 4 1/2 cups of flour.
    • 2 tbsp ground ginger.
    • 2 tsp cinnamon.
    • 1 tsp of cloves.
    • 1 tsp of salt.
    • Raw sugar for rolling cookies.

Coarse raw sugar for rolling and gently squishing the cookie dough, you can add a bit more sugar before baking if you think the cookies need it. No matter who you give cookies to, they are a great gift.

Method

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, spices, and salt.
2. In another larger mixing bowl, cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, then add the molasses and mix well.
4. Gently stir in the flour mixture about 1/4 at a time until well combined.
5. Chill the dough in the fridge for a couple of hours, or preferably overnight.
6. Use a 1” cookie scoop to make balls of dough.
7. Roll the dough in coarse “Sugar in the Raw.”
8. Gently squish the well-spaced cookies on a cookie sheet.
9. Bake at 350 F for 10 minutes.
10. Remove from the oven and cool.

The finished product just out of the oven.

Tools and Equipment for Rüdesheim coffee

• • • Coffee brewer.
    • Suitable coffee cups, a wine or beer glass will do, but it is extra fun to use Rüdesheim mugs, if you can find them.
    • Microplane or fine grater.
    • A bowl for whipping cream, or a ready to go can of whipped cream.
    • Whisk or eggbeaters.

Ingredients

• • • Brewed coffee.
    • 1-2 ounces of Asbach Uralt Brandy or any other brandy you like (optional).
    • Whipping or whipped cream for topping.
    • Unsweetened dark chocolate for topping.
    • 1 tsp of Sugar (optional) for each coffee.

Method

1. Warm the mugs, if using, with boiling water.
2. Add 1-2 ounces of brandy and 1 tsp of sugar.
3. Stir to dissolve sugar.
4. Fill with hot coffee.
5. Top with whipping (or whipped) cream.
6. Grate chocolate over the top.
7. Serve, sip, savour.

We tend to think about gifts as three dimensional objects of desire at Christmas. Why not give the gift of your own self over coffee and cookies? Merry Christmas.