Triple Ginger

I think it is pretty safe to say that I am cookie obsessed. It's not a bad thing. Cookies cure everything from heartbreak to homesickness, boredom to the blues. My usual go-to mood booster cookie is chocolate chip, but when I want to mix it up a little I go for ginger. I absolutely love these Triple Ginger Cookies from Bon Appetit for their spice and snap. However, they are a little heavy on the molasses and I was looking for something a bit softer. See, E doesn't really do chocolate, and after our anniversary dinner at Le Bernardin, he is obsessed with mango gelato. For Valentine'd Day I had to make that gelato for dessert, but I couldn't serve it alone. It was served with little bits of crystallized ginger at the restaurant, so that was what inspired my hunt for a perfect ginger cookie. This one did it. Super soft on the inside, a little crisp on the outside, buttery and super gingery. The best part is that when kept in an airtight container, they were exactly as soft even a week later. No need to give them all away or scarf down 8 cookies in one sitting so they don't go to waste! You can dole them out as needed for a mood boost, and they are especially good on a gray, rainy day like this with a mug of hot tea.

Soft Baked Triple Ginger Cookies

from Theresa Sullivan

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 cups sugar, plus 1/3 cup for rolling
2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature and cut into small pieces
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and still warm
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped candied ginger

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine milk & ginger in a small cup. Heat in microwave for about 20 seconds. Set aside to steep.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and ginger. Set aside.

In a large bowl, blend together sugar and cream cheese. Blend in warm melted butter. Add oil, egg, milk steeped with ginger, and vanilla extract. Blend until combined. Fold in flour mixture with rubber spatula until incorporated and a soft dough forms. Fold in chopped candied ginger. Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes until it firms enough to roll into balls.

Place remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a small bowl. Using a 1 1/2 Tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out 12 dough balls per baking sheet. Roll each dough ball in your hands, then roll in sugar to coat. Space about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.

Bake 1 sheet at time at 350°F for 11-13 minutes, until set and just beginning to brown on the bottom. (They might not look done, but don’t over bake!) Cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.