Can you believe that it is already time for the 12 Weeks of Cookies? Hello? Where did September go? Are there really only 12 weeks until Christmas? Crazy! Tonight, I am so happy that it is fall. I was running errands tonight, the sun was going down, and I made a wrong turn. I found myself driving far longer than I needed to because it was so beautiful. The sun was golden, the trees are beginning to change, yet everything is still so green. That is one of the things that surprised me most about Kansas, it is so green and lush. I got out of the car, and it was crisp. Happiness. All I needed was a Pumpkin Spice Latte to complete the moment.
Even though I have Christmas cookies on the brain, I am not quite ready to break out the peppermint and eggnog. Like last year, I am starting with a spice cookie, and I doing it again this year. I happen to love a spice cookie, and this one is no different. Crisp and crunchy on the outside, but soft and chewy in the center. And then a hit of sweetness from the white chocolate.
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
3/4 cups unsalted butter at room temperature
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup white chocolate chips
Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
Cream together butter and brown sugar, until light and fluffy. About 5 minutes. Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla.
Add the dry ingredients. Mix until the dough comes together.
Wrap the dough in plastic and chill 4 hours or overnight.
Using an ice cream scooper, portion dough and roll into balls. Coat the dough balls in sugar.
Place the cookies on parchment lined baking sheets and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes.
Take the cookies out of the oven and immediately place a few white chocolate chips in the center.
Cool completely on racks.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 3/4 cups unsalted butter at room temperature
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Cream together butter and brown sugar, until light and fluffy. About 5 minutes.
- Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla.
- Mix until the batter just together, being careful to not overmix.
- Wrap the dough in plastic and chill 4 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment.
- Using an ice cream scooper, portion dough and roll into balls. Coat the dough balls in sugar.
- Place on cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Take the cookies out of the oven and immediately place a few white chocolate chips in the center.
- Cool completely on wire racks.
I love a good spice cookie, and these look fabulous. So glad to be baking along with you again this year!
Tracy recently posted..Half Moon (Black & White) Cookies
Very happy to have found your blog yesterday and starting the 12 weeks of cookies with you. I’m always looking for that “little something” to bring along to parties or family gatherings during the holidays.
Yeah Jodi! Welcome.
I finally found a place where they sell molasses here in Holland so I saved this recipe immediately
You cannot find molasses in Holland? That surprises me. Is it called something else?
I know: can’t believe tomorrow is already October. I thought this was still summer…
But these cookies are a wonderful reason to celebrate: gorgeous!
Denise @ TLT recently posted..Salmon to Impress
thank you Denise. Crazy to think that Christmas will be here before we know it.
Ohmygoodness! Already?? I participated last year (completely on my own mind you) but I don’t think I’m ready this year so start embracing the holiday season. Maybe once Thanksgiving (Canadian) is upon us I can jump in the boat. 10 Weeks of Cookies anyone?
I know! 10 weeks works!
You do not know HOW excited this post made me! I love Christmas, so much, and I look forward to the building anticipation all year! Not to mention I’m a big fan of October. You made my Friday by pointing out that October is tomorrow and 12 weeks until Christmas.
I am glad that you had a great Friday.
You were talking about the weather… About 2-3 weeks from now is the perfect time for you to return to, and fall in love with, Lawrence. Go for a home football game- KU, of course. Don’t buy tickets. First drive around campus and admire how beautiful it is, then take the kiddos and a blanket and head to “the hill” where you can sit and watch the game for free. It’s wonderful. Then go back the following day, without the kiddos, and make a serious dent in your Christmas shopping on Mass. street! You will fall in love.
Amy recently posted..Gazpacho, Day 92, 8/28/11
I do love Lawrence! Casbah Burger is one of the best burgers that I have ever eaten. Where is “the hill”? This is a great idea, thank you for sharing.
I don’t think Casbah Burger was there when I attended KU. And if it was, I missed it.
And I’m a vegetarian now so… “The hill” is literally the hill on the south side of Memorial Stadium that leads up to campus. Lots of people watch the entire game from there. I hope you go.
Amy recently posted..Gazpacho, Day 92, 8/28/11
Even their veg burgers are amazing! Thanks for the tips.
We lived in Lawrence, KS for 5 years, just moved away last summer. We sure have missed how pretty and green it is there!
The cookies look great, perfect for the holidays.
Katrina recently posted..Devil’s Food Cake Mix Cookies and Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Cookies (Low Fat)—12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies AND Cookie Carnival
It is pretty and green. Now it is also red, yellow, and orange.
Wish I could do it with you this year! But I’m going to settle for looking and copying all these marvelous recipes.
Love your ginger cookies with their little white chocolate tops!
Barbara recently posted..50 Women Game Changers in Food: #17, Dorothy Hamilton
We will miss you, but look forward to your visits!
Hey, this is my first experience with you. My sister recommended me your blog. I can see she is so much obsessed with your blog. I haven’t given a shot to those bites. But they sure look amazing. Hope they taste the same. Wish me luck.
Sam recently posted..Physical Therapy Assistant
Welcome Sam!
Love the idea of including the spices in this recipe. The flavor must be so good. And the house must smell really good when this is cooking. I just did a recipe where I put the white morsels/chocolate chips in the middle of a cookie right out of the oven. I really liked how they were just partially melted.
The house smells amazing.
I am always so reluctant to let go of summer, but when I do I always remember that I love this season most of all (living in New England makes it almost impossible not to love fall!) I am a huge Christmas cookie baker, so I am excited for this series. Thanks for your constant inspiration!
Laura recently posted..Lessons for Parents on Self-Control
New England in fall? Can I come over?
I love spice cookies as well. I can’t wait to make these. In about three weeks when I will let myself eat carbs and sugar again.
I bet you cannot wait. Giving up carbs is so hard.
Yes but so is going to a doctors appt up almost ten pounds from last year. OK so it is 14 months and i was only 2-3 weeks since having stopped breast feeing. But still. 5 will be just fine because lower then that was the breast feeding gift.
good luck! that can be hard.
I just love Fall and there is nothing better than baking spice cookies. I’m making some today actually. I love the addition of white chocolate on the top of yours. Happy you are baking along again. I’m looking forward to see what you bake up.
Jamie recently posted..The Countdown Begins…..12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies 2011
Me too. I have no idea what I making this year so I going through my recipes and trying to figure it out.
Oh man! 12 weeks of cookies already? Those look divine!
For reals. I made your mashed taters last night. Yours are much better and they made me miss you even more.
Those white chocolate chips on top make your cookies look so cute. I just love a good ginger cookie. So glad to be baking along with you.
Lisa @ Sweet as Sugar Cookies recently posted..Sweets for a Saturday #37
me too! I loved doing this last year and happy to be doing it again.
I think fall and Christmas are a tie for my favorite time of year and we always love a tasty ginger cookie! This one may just have to kick things off for us too. So glad you have joined up with the 12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies again this year.
Brenda @ Meal Planning Magic recently posted..The Great Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Thanks Brenda! Thanks for having me.
I love any type of ginger cookie and these are so….. pretty!
The Café Sucré Farine recently posted..Roasted Carrot and Coriander Soup with a Greek Yogurt and Fresh Herb Drizzle
thank you! They taste good too.
Ok so excited I’m having Christmas at our house for the first time and I’m going to attempt your 12 weeks of cookies! But not sure what to do after I make them do I freeze them? What’s the best way to do that? Thanks by the way love your blog I’m a mom of two little ones (1yr and 2yrs old) and I too am determined to put a home cooked meal on the table every night your recipies have helped me out on many days!
It depends on what you are trying to freeze. Not all of the 12 weeks treats can be frozen. But most cookies can. Wrap really well in plastic wrap and then in a Ziploc bag is how I do it. I am glad to hear that you are cooking every night. It can be a pain, but so worth it.
I made these yesterday… out of control amazing! Thanks for sharing!
happy that you liked them Angie!
BREE! These were SOOOO good. We are not ginger snap lovers and we all couldn’t stop eating these. Big hit around here. Thanks so much for this recipe!
These were a surprise hit around here too. Usually I get the spice cookies all to myself.
I just pulled a batch out of the oven and they are amazing! I’m not usually one for spice cookies but the flavour is a little on the milder side and so delicious. Thanks for the recipe! I’m going to be baking along with you for your 12 weeks.
Jenn recently posted..Our Year in Photos: My September Photographs
I am glad that you liked these and I am so glad that you will baking along with us.
Bree, I always love your step by step images. Beautiful. Loving all the cookies!
Valentina recently posted..Friday Flowers: Gerberas and Pumpkin Braised Short Ribs
thank you Valentina! I made your spiced caramel sauce the other day and it was amazing.
How many dozen cookies does this recipe make? They look so yummy I am making them for a ckkie exchange party.
bout 3, depending on how large you roll the dough balls.