This recipe for Old-Fashioned Crunchy Gingersnap Cookies is simple and easy to make. The cookies have a strong ginger flavor and are full of dark, sweet, molasses, and warm spices including cloves and cinnamon.
Add the shortening, one-cup sugar, salt, and baking soda to the bowl of an electric mixer and mix until smooth and creamy.
Add the egg, mix until well incorporated. Add the molasses, and again mix until well incorporated.
Add the flour, one teaspoon cinnamon and the rest of the spices to the dough and mix until well incorporated. Set aside.
Add one teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ cup of sugar to a shallow bowl or pie plate and mix well.
Use a 1-inch ice-cream scoop or a spoon to make 1-inch dough balls. Drop the dough balls into the sugar-cinnamon mixture and roll around until the balls are coated.
Transfer the balls to a baking sheet which has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, lined with parchment paper, or a silicone baking mat. Be sure to leave 1-½ inches between the dough balls because they will spread.
Bake the cookies for 10-11 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven, use a spatula and place the cookies on a wire rack to cool. Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Notes
Sharon's Expert Tips:To accurately measure the flour, use a large spoon to first fluff up the flour in the container. Then use the spoon to lightly scoop the flour into the measuring cup. Finally, use a knife or other straight-edge utensil to level the flour across the measuring cup.Gingersnap cookies store well in an airtight container, and they keep their telltale "snap" for well over a week. They are also a sturdy cookie and would be a great choice to pack up and mail to loved ones.To freeze gingersnap cookie dough, follow the directions, roll the dough into balls and roll in the cinnamon sugar. Place the balls on a baking sheet and freeze for an hour or so. Remove from the freezer and place the dough balls in an airtight plastic freezer bag. To bake, remove the desired quantity of frozen dough balls, place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake as directed.To freeze gingersnap cookies, place the cookies in an airtight plastic freezer container and freeze for up to three months. To serve, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw.If you have leftover gingersnap cookies, they make a great substitute for graham crackers in a graham cracker pie crust. Check out my recipe for Meyer Lemon Tart with Gingersnap Crust.[nutrition-label]