Sometimes a night in with friends is what you need. Ideally, these sorts of gatherings should involve a plethora of mini sandwiches and spiked libations…maybe even a little illicit cross-stich art for good measure. Hopefully, a kitchen dance party will erupt, followed by girl-talk, then more dancing. Sometimes that is exactly what you need to remind you that good times are to be had…even if you go to bed with the threat of a headache and need an evening nap the next day, it’s still a breath of fresh air and totally worth it.
Sometimes you just need all of that, but, sometimes in a pinch a cookie will do.
These cookies are an ultra-spiced, chewy, chocolate delight. Cocoa and shards of chocolate add depth and smooth richness. A gang of spices, plus candied ginger, add heat and excitement. Sparkly and fragrant cinnamon sugar bring crunch and texture to the party. These sweetly-spiced cookies are similar to one of my favorites, but with an added layer of depth from the cocoa. The combination of spices in this cookie is pretty bold and literally spicy–these are not for the shy, but perfect for the adventurous and brave.
Chewy Chocolate Ginger-Spice Cookies
Makes 24-30 cookies.
Adapted from Martha Stewart
The dough for these chewy gems has to be chilled before baking and I would suggest placing the remaining dough in the refrigerator between batches, as well. Also, there are two forms of chocolate in this cookie, as well as three incarnations of ginger, PLUS cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and black pepper. One could dial back the spices, but I think these cookies are made different because of the boldness of the spices. As always, I encourage you to make these your own, so if super spiced baked goods aren’t your game, then definitely begin by reducing each spice by half. These cookies are great for cookie jars and will keep at room temperature for several days.
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tablespoon fresh, grated ginger
1/2 cup molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground, dried ginger
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground, black pepper
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
pinch of salt (scant 1/4 teaspoon)
1/4 cup chopped, candied ginger
4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
3 Tablespoons granulated sugar + 1 teaspoon cinnamon, for rolling
In the bowl of a mixer, beat the butter with the brown sugar until creamy and combined well. Add the fresh ginger, molasses, and vanilla, mix to combine. In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, cocoa, ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice, pepper, nutmeg, and salt. Add the dry mixture to the butter mixture and pulse until just combined. Fold in the candied ginger and chopped chocolate. Cover and chill the dough for at least 2 hours, or until very firm.
Preheat oven to 325*F and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone baking mats.
Scoop dough (I used a 1 1/2 inch disher/levered scoop) into rounds and roll into a ball. Roll each ball in cinnamon sugar and place on baking sheets spaced about 1-2 inches apart–as the cookies will spread. Working with 1 sheet at a time, flatten the top of each cookie and chill for 10 minutes before baking in the center of the oven for 15-18 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool on the sheet pan about 10 minutes before placing on a cooling rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.
I took two naps yesterday! But you’re totally right, dance parties and sandwiches are just the thing to make a nap-worthy day worth it.
AND these cookies look awesome. Love that there’s black pepper up in there!
worth it! you’re a double nap champ!
As always, gorgeous pictures, and this recipe looks so delicious. All those spices are perfect for fall!
Thanks Sara!
Your girlfriend nights in sound a lot like mine… Except we probably have more food comas than dance parties. We need to step up our game, clearly.
The cookies sound outta sight! I love spices of all kinds.
We saved the eating until the end…I think it was key for mobility. Ha!
These look so delicious! Definitely trying them, sometime when I’ve got enough brave in me.
I’m sure you are plenty brave 🙂
Super spiced baked goods are TOTALLY my game. These will be going on my list for Christmas baking!
yay!
I would have hated these cookies as a kid, but they sound like something I would friggin’ love now that I’m a weird adult who likes spices in my cookies!
yay! for grown up palates! I would have been weirded out by them too.
these cookies are begging to be the outer part of an ice cream sandwich! yum!
Oh, they would make a great ice cream sandwich! Great idea!
Let there be cookies. Spicy, bold cookies. That’s what I can’t stop thinking when I look at those pictures and read this post. Damn girl, let there be cookies. Although, I’m also thinking who needs others for a dance party. slip off those shoes (and if it gets you in the mood, a few layers) and have a dance party – solo style.
Haha! Well, thanks Mikaela!
Sounds like a heck of a girls’ night! A Martha Stewart recipe for chewy chocolate cookies (from a Christmas issue of the magazine) long ago became a favorite of mine, and these look like they might live up to those, but with even more fabulous flavor. These are a must-make – thanks for sharing, Cindy.
Thank you Jess!
Chewy, chocolate-y and spicy for the win! Dancing and girl-talk is a necessity from time to time 🙂
indeed!
these photos are lovely– and so is the text. i couldn’t agree more…
Thank you, Stephanie!
Cindy, I absolutely love ginger cookies and with chocolate they’re even better!
Beautiful photos, as usual.
Thanks Patricia!
Just found your blog and love your style, photos, and I love spicy, bold-flavored cookies – perfect!
Thank You, Averie!!