Big Ginger Cookies
rec.food.recipes/Lavanda/2001
Makes 12 five-inch cookies


2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 cup (2 sticks) plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons unsulfured molasses
1 large egg
1/2 cup sanding or granulated sugar*

Heat oven to 350 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, allspice, and white pepper; set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine butter with light-brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg; mix well. Add the reserved dry ingredients, and beat until just combined.

Form dough into a ball, and cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or overnight.

Remove dough from refrigerator. Using an ice-cream scoop, shape dough into 2-inch-diameter balls.

Pour sanding sugar into a large bowl, and roll balls in sanding sugar, coating well. Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, spaced 4 inches apart; flatten each into a 3-inch-diameter disk.

Transfer to oven, and bake until brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container up to 2 days.

*Sanding sugar is coarser than granulated sugar and adds sparkle to finished baked goods.