She Strengthens

Soft-Baked Spice Cookies with a Crunchy Twist

When it comes to cookies, texture plays a crucial role in their overall appeal. Imagine a cookie that’s both soft and chewy on the inside, with a satisfying crunch on the outside. Sounds like a dream come true, right? Well, we’ve got just the recipe for you!

The Perfect Blend of Spices

These soft-baked spice cookies owe their unique flavor profile to a blend of warm spices, including cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. The combination of these aromatic spices creates a depth of flavor that’s both comforting and intriguing.

A Sugar-Coated Surprise

To take these cookies to the next level, we’re rolling them in granulated sugar before baking. This clever trick creates a crunchy exterior that provides a delightful contrast to the soft, chewy center.

Let’s Get Baking!

To make these scrumptious cookies, you’ll need:

• 2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), at room temperature
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup molasses
• About 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and brown sugar until smoothly blended, about 1 minute.
4. Add the egg and molasses, mixing until blended and an even light brown color, about 1 minute.
5. On low speed, add the flour mixture, mixing just to incorporate it.
6. Spread the granulated sugar on a large piece of wax or parchment paper.
7. Roll 1/4 cup of dough between your palms into a 2-inch ball, then roll the ball in the sugar and place on one of the prepared baking sheets.
8. Continue making cookies, spacing them 2 inches apart.
9. Bake the cookies one sheet at a time until the tops feel firm but they’re still soft in the center and have several large cracks on top, about 14 minutes.
10. Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Storage and Enjoyment

These soft-baked spice cookies can be stored in a tightly covered container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Perfect for snacking, sharing, or enjoying with a warm cup of coffee or tea!