Gingersnaps (Crunchy Ginger Cookies)

A blogger generally starts their profession by posting recipes taken from cookbooks as well as family favourites over which they have mastery upon.Some of them do post invented recipes which are highly appreciated.However there is one thing common in all true bloggers – the love for food and the eagerness to explore new recipes.

I have mentioned “True Bloggers” in the previous paragraph which would be questioned by many as something “irrelevant to mention” as all bloggers are true!Really?If you see the vast sea of internet recipes and start examining one recipe at a time (which I know no one would love) you will see a vast sea of shameful plagiarism where recipes are copied by the word without giving any credit to the person who in some corner of the world made an attempt to make,photograph and post!These kinds of shenanigans would not have even seen a decent cookbook to make something and instead use their intellect to blatantly steal content!

However coming on to more optimistic ground,we do “invent” recipes and follow traditional ones to a T and debate with others on their authenticity with a never die voraciousness for which our ancestors would be proud of!However there are tons of lovely cookbooks available which give us the motivation to try something new and make it to give ourselves as well as our family members a treat.

I got this book once while I was fooling around in Crossword – a very popular bookshop across shopping malls in India.I had been admitted to the hospital 2 months prior for a worrisome issue and was to go every week for a routine blood test which left me horribly frustrated on the waiting time as I had to show the report to the doctor before going home.It was one beautiful day when after enduring the painful needle I was upset beyond limit over the complexities of life that I made off to the nearest shopping mall for some relaxation.On an impulse I went into Crossword(being the avid book lover I am) and started foraging for the latest books which had arrived.

I noticed a big sign marked SALE which is ever so pleasing to Indian countenances and elbowed my way through the small crowd sifting through the heaps of books under the comforting label!I however did not like any book to my advantage until I came to the LIFESTYLE section where they had home decor,sewing,embroidery,fine arts and cookbooks lined up.The first book I saw was The Baking Bible with a Rs 695/- price label (almost $13) stuck to it.For Indians anything above Rs 100/- ($2) is expensive and we want everything below that for a spot on relief!Under that was a label – NOW Rs 95)!

The Baking Bible – Paragon Books

WHAT?

Did they mean to say they discounted Rs 600 on this book?Printed in UK and with the most wonderful recipes plus Rs 600 off this book was a steal!I purchased this as well as a thin 20 Cookie guide which I got at a neat price with a free plastic Christmas sheet Cookie cutter.This was my lucky day and I spent a most pleasurable time flipping through the pages,bookmarking recipes and following guidelines.

I have made many recipes from this book and had bookmarked Gingersnaps since many days as I am really fond of Ginger as well as Coconut cookies.

Recipe page of Gingersnaps in The Baking Bible

I want a cookie with my cup of tea in the evening and if not sometimes with my cup of coffee in the morning!You can put two cookies together with orange or plain buttercream for delicious sandwich biscuits but I prefer them plain.The more you store them the more intense the flavour will develop in these cookies!Call your besties for a tea party and bake a cake with a plate of these cookies!Perfect for repairing and sealing friendships,developing a new friendship,new neighbours or just when you are by yourself and want something delicious and a cup of tea for peace!

This recipe was featured in the 135th FoodieMondayBloghop where the theme was Cook from a Cook Book!

Check out the recipe below!

Preparation Time : 1 hour

Makes : 30 cookies

INGREDIENTS

125 gms unsalted/salted butter at room temperature (if you use salted butter then do not add the one pinch of salt to the dough)

350 gms self raising flour/all purpose flour (maida)

A pinch of salt (omit if you use salted butter)

200 gms powdered sugar

1 tbsp Ginger powder (sonth)

1 tsp Soda Bicarb/baking soda

75 gms Golden syrup (if you do not have Golden syrup then use Honey/Rice or Corn Syrups or even liquid Gur)

1 egg – beaten

1 tbsp grated Orange Rind (optional) – if you have some christmas soaking fruit having orange peel  you can grate or chop it into bits and add to the dough

METHOD

Preheat oven to 160°C.Grease 2 – 3 baking sheets and line them with Parchment paper.

Sift flour,salt,sugar,ginger powder and baking soda in a large bowl.

Heat butter and golden syrup in a saucepan on the lowest heat possible till the butter melts and amalgamates with the syrup.Remove from heat and leave to cool till lukewarm.

Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour the butter and syrup mixture into it.Add the beaten egg and the Orange rind and start mixing lightly with your hands.

NOTE – Remember the egg will bind everything into a beautiful cookie dough.No need to add any other liquid like milk or water because if you do then the biscuits will turn out chewy instead of crunchy.

Mix to form a soft cookie dough.Divide into 30 equal portions and roll into balls.Place them an inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets and flatten them slightly.

Bake for 20 minutes per batch till lovely and deep brown.Remove from the oven and cool them for 5 minutes on the sheets.Then transfer to a cooling rack to completely cool them.They should come to room temperature for a beautiful crunch.

Store in airtight cookie jars and serve with tea or Coffee or with a glass of milk for the classic treat!