Chewy Ginger Cookies with Sweet Orange Glaze
Someone needs to get these cookies out of my face.
Seriously.
They are like chewy little gingery orange bites of addictive... I mean they basically taste just. like. Christmas.
I love them. And I can't seem to keep myself away from the cookies.
I don't feel much like eating here lately. Just snacking. And typically my snacking would include healthy things like apples or carrots or almonds or pretzels. But not when there's a plate of soft ginger cookies lingering on my table. That is like tempting fate.
So I did what any responsible mommy does when faced with a cookie challenge: I pawned these cookies off on Chad and the kids. I'd like to say I was glad to see them go, temptation-wise and all... but I wasn't.
I actually contemplated making them again. That's a bad idea, right?
Anyway... this week has been strange. I've been totally consumed with cleaning up and cleaning out... call it Christmas nesting or something. Trying to make room for all the stuff I know is gonna have to have a home in the next week or two (P.S. if anyone has a clever way to store Hot Wheels car tracks puh-leez let me know because ohmygosh I hate them but if I accidentally on purpose misplace them Evan will KNOW), and get rid of all the stuff my boys have outgrown/will never ever miss (unlike Hot Wheels tracks. Gah.). UPS is religiously leaving happy packages on my porch. Who knew that shopping in my pajamas on the sofa with coffee could be so much fun?
Evan wrote a letter to Santa Claus. He is very focused on either a bell from a reindeer or an elf hat. This is serious business.
Oh! And I've amassed a collection of Christmas cards in the mail this week. I love Christmas cards. It's so great to get something besides a bill in the mail. The weird part: one very beautiful Christmas card came from one of my dearest friends. Except there was nothing personal written anywhere on the card. Like the card I get from the dentist's office was more heartfelt and personal. Also my last name was wrong on the envelope. And the whole thing just felt kind of... well... un-Christmas-friend-ey.
But powdered sugar fixes most things, especially this close to Christmas. So I stored that super weird card away for later thoughts, perhaps involving spirits of some kind?, and made a sweet orange glaze frosting.
It is AWESOME. I think Santa would dig it.
These cookies kind of remind me of those little frosted ginger snaps you can buy, except exponentially more wonderful because they are a)soft, b)chewy, c)homemade, and d)I can pronounce all the ingredients. They would make really great gifts. In fact, if someone would make these and stack a few up in a cookie tin for me... I mean that would really make my day.
Like Christmas portion control.
Also cookies definitely say, "We're friends."
- 2¼ cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup molasses
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling the dough in before baking)
- 2¾ cups powdered sugar, sifted
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- Pre-heat the oven to 350.
- In a large bowl whisk together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- In another bowl beat the butter and granulated sugar until it's light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and then the molasses.
- Gradually add the flour mixture about ⅓ at a time, mixing after each addition.
- Scatter the remaining ¼ cup of granulated sugar onto a plate.
- Roll the dough into 1½ inch balls and then roll each ball in the sugar on the plate. Space the cookies about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let them cool slightly before removing from the cookie sheet.
- While the cookies bake make the glaze. Sift the powdered sugar into a large bowl and whisk in ¼ cup of the orange juice until the icing has a smooth texture. Add more juice in 1 teaspoon at a time as needed to thin the frosting a bit (after you've frosted a few cookies the glaze will start to harden; I add a little juice, stir, and continue frosting as I go) as needed.
- Stir the orange zest into the glaze.
- You can frost these cookies as soon as you take them from the cookie sheet-- if fact it's easier that way!
- Let the glaze set before stacking or your cookies won't be so pretty. Wax or parchment paper in between cookies helps.
(cookie recipe from THIS recipe at A Taste of Home... glaze recipe from my Christmas brain)
We are such good friends that I gave you a whole page full of cookies!! Better than a card, eh?
A little too sweet even without the icing. An easy way to ice is hold the cookie upside down and while holding dip the top in the icing.
Heather, just found these frosted Ginger cookies, and I made some for our church coffee bar before I seen this recipe, I will make these next time with the icing, they look like they stack well that's a big plus for me. And if I knew your address I would send you some for Christmas. I usually make the Pfeffernuesse Cookies for Christmas shipping but look like they can handle the trip. I'm not in any business I just enjoy sending fresh baked goodies to my friends and family. You are one of my friends right?
By the way...since I'm reading this and it's after Christmas I will need an excuse to make these cause these look SO delicious I love ginger cookies!!
Heather you kill me lol I love that you gave all the cookies away to the boys and then wanted to make more haha So something I would do!!! lol I love your honesty!!! The card situation annoyed me for you...I mean it's like if you're going to send out Christmas cards take the time to get the names right and add a little one liner at the bottom I mean come on!!! Send them back a thank you with a big a$$ on the cover and inside it just says 'kiss it!' lol Just kidding that's not nice haha but I mean damn girl...annoying!!!
I am happy to take these off your hands! Please feel free to send them my way.
And Christmas nesting? I love it. I'm totally getting rid of stuff in anticipation of what the grandparents will be sending Maya's way....
The pre-holiday clean out is crucial! Glad I'm not the only one afflicted by that neurosis. I would love to send you ginger cookies! Next year we should participate in a cookie swap or something-- really!!
Oh My God! These look AMAZING!! These combined with coffee and christmas cartoons on Christmas morning, post present opening, but pre-dressing would be AWESOME! (And as for Christmas cards arriving - your s will. soon. I promisw. Postage has been delayed by work not paying me on time. grrrr! So you may get a happy christmas at new year card, but it will go out this week!)
Please don't feel bad! I have you a Christmas prize but it is also not yet in the mail. I'll still be excited, even if it doesn't arrive until February. Don't stress about $$ on my account! I have no idea how long a package would take to get from here to Spain in the mail or I would happily send you ginger cookies!
Do not worry - I wasn't stressing over the pennies on your account, I was stressing over not being able to pay for christmas luggage on my way home, but your mail also fell victim to the penniless situation! However, it is now in the post and should arrive...well in time for Easter or something maybe!
Yum! These looks scrumptious!
Thanks! I love them. It's a problem.
ha ha I understand that problem 🙂
Christmas-sy cookies! Just in time for the season! Yeah I totally know what you mean. Sometimes I just find myself stuffing my face with a billion things that I probably shouldn't. And when I bake them myself, somehow I love to give myself more credit and appreciate it even more by eating it! lol! Well, I'm sure your family enjoyed those!! mmmm
I am all about cookies right now. And ginger EVERYTHING.
These cookies look most addictive 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
The frosting looks so good! Love that drippy thick layer. I'm adding these to my baking list!
These are a Christmas MUST.
When you can't stop at the first batch, you know you've got yourself a keeper. 😉 That spice combination would also make a really great drink combo. Orange peel, ginger, cinnamon.. With tea. That feels right.
Or bourbon. That feels right, too...
These sound so wonderful!!!! YUM!
Thanks!
I think I must have these. They look sooo good!
Me, too. Let's make more.
yes indeed, these will go great with my egg nog after I have complete my Jingle Bell Rock dance..:-)
They look divine!
Soooo easy and basically the most addictive thing I've made in a very long while. The orange glaze is key!!
Yes please
I know, right?
I love to pair ginger with orange...yummmy