Tuesday, December 7, 2021

The season for cookies...

It wouldn't be a December blog post from me without a recipe for a festive treat. The house smells delicious while these cookies are baking, and the tiny bits of crystallized ginger will warm you on even the chilliest of days. I’ve been baking these cookies for years and they are even mentioned in my newest book when my heroine, Jill, tells her friend of her holiday plans.




Soft Ginger Cookies

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1/4 cup molasses
3/4 finely chopped crystallized ginger

Place one oven rack in top third of oven, and one rack in bottom third. Preheat oven to 350 F. 

In large bowl, combine flour, soda, salt & spices.

In another large bowl, or bowl of stand mixer, beat butter for 2 minutes, beat in brown sugar until creamy, additional 3 minutes. Add egg, molasses & chopped crystallized ginger & beat to blend.

On low speed, add flour mixture in two batches to combine.

Scoop 1 tablespoon size portions onto parchment lined baking sheets, spaced 2 inches apart.

Bake 15 minutes, until edges are firm but centre is soft.

Cool on baking sheets 5 minutes. Transfer to rack to cool completely.

Note:  For even more ginger flavour and heat, add 1 ½ teaspoons grated fresh ginger to the butter mixture before stirring in the flour mixture. 



When a minor health scare dampens Jillian Sinclair’s Christmas glee, she retreats to a beach cottage with the goal of fixing her life. Owning a car dealership is no longer exciting and she wants a change. But to what?
 
While the snow collects and the wind blows, Jill makes big plans that don’t include the handsome-as-sin recluse with the charming smile. She’d tried the love thing before, but flings are more fun and less prone to heartache. Too bad the holiday romance didn’t get the memo. Now the L word keeps popping into her head and crowding out common sense.

Patrick Evans has his own reasons for hiding in a big empty house with a killer view of the ocean, number one being to write his next book by deadline. Still not recovered from a tragedy and the secrets it uncovered, the last thing he needs is to be enticed by the beautiful woman next door. But there’s no avoiding her, and after one kiss, he stops trying. 

Their days together are numbered. Jill will head off on her adventure and Patrick will resume his lonely existence. 

Exactly what they both want – right?

https://books2read.com/ifsnowflakeswereforever 

Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. She spends her days writing spicy contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and historical romance. When not torturing her heroes and heroines, she’s in her kitchen baking something delicious. She lives in Nova Scotia with her patient husband, one spoiled cat, and five hens. 

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3 comments:

Judith Ashley said...

Luanna, those cookies smell delicious - even way over here in Oregon, USA! I was recently introduce to the yumminess of crystalized ginger as a nibble-snack. Although my friends nibble any time of the day, I heard a Chinese cook say that ginger is for morning. Now to get to the store and purchase some. I could use a ginger boost this morning.

Maggie Lynch said...

Your story sounds really fun. I do love stories where people find each other in spite of their commitment not to do so. :) Your recipe also sounds good--even to me who is not a big Ginger lover. I think I'll pass it on to my husband who sees ginger as a healthy option and has a sweet tooth.

Paty Jager said...

Ginger cookies are my favorites! The book sounds intriguing. Good luck and Merry Christmas!