The month of December is here and I am just making a small dent on my list of holiday baking. There are so many wonderful favorite cookies and desserts this time of year that are filled with: dates, chocolate, peanut butter, peppermint, candy canes, frosting, sprinkles, almond bark, nuts, toffee – you name it…
A family favorite of mine over the years, has been Granny’s Gingersnaps. She always, always had these on hand at Christmas. Memories of Granny’s house at Christmas were some of the best – Santa sightings in the night sky, hide and seek obstacle course game played in the dark (watch out for the folded up Ping-Pong table – including the net), and clear-glass cookie jars in the kitchen filled to the brim – waiting for eager grandchildren to devour them. These cookie jars were loaded with three types of cookies: Oreos, Gingersnaps, and Emma’s Lemon cookies (recipe coming soon!).
Granny’s Gingersnaps are not overly sweet, but a fine balance of a variety of spices. They are a delight during these winter months, and now, in my old age, I think they are pretty great with a cup of coffee in hand, too.
Gingersnaps
Ingredients
- 3/4 c. Crisco
- 1 c. sugar
- 1/4 c. light molasses
- 1 egg
- 2 1/4 c. flour
- 1/4 t. salt
- 2 t. baking soda
- 1/2 t. cinnamon
- 1/2 t. ground cloves
- 2 t. ginger
- 1/2 c. sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Cream together Crisco, sugar, molasses, and egg until smooth. Then add dry ingredients: flour, salt, soda, and spices.
- Form into balls and roll in sugar.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet and let cool.
Old age? Ha ha. Lovely memories about your grandma!
Haha! Yes, you know – now that I can’t go a morning with out my coffee 😉 Thanks, Annie!
Lovely post! These cookies look delicious. 🙂
Thank you Ashlyn for reading! We so much enjoy hearing from you! These cookies are definitely a favorite, and especially great this time of year!
As soon as I saw that gingersnap picture, I knew that it was your post, Molly. Those cookies were part of every Christmas celebration at the Olesen household. Uncle J sure loved them!
Great to hear from you, Aunt Willie! We’ll have to make sure to have these on hand at the Olesen Christmas! Looking forward to seeing you all!
How big do you roll the balls of dough?
Hey Cindy! They are pretty average size – so I’d say about an inch or so would get you a small-medium sized cookie. Happy Baking!