3 GINGER COOKIES FROM HEAVEN

Of all the cookies I make and bake this just happens to be the most requested recipe of all the others. Take these over the holidays to such places as nursing homes, sheriff and police offices, rescue squads, hospital waiting rooms, and any other locations that you can think of to spread some cheer. Believe me when I say that you could make a difference in others lives by such actions. Happy Thanksgiving everybody! Love to you all today and everyday.

3 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 big egg plus 1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
2 tablespoons chopped candied ginger
1/3 cup molasses
coarse sanding sugar..or just plain old sugar if that's what you have on hand

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flour through salt; set aside.

Put butter and sugar into bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment; mix on medium high speed until pale and fluffy. Add egg and yolk, mix to combine. Mix in grated and candied ginger. Add flour mixture in batches, alternating with the molasses, beginning and ending with flour.

Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Coat with sugar. Space 2-inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake, rotating once, until dark golden brown around edges, about 12 minutes. Do not over bake. Let cool on sheets for a few minutes; transfer to wire racks to cool.
Yield: 6 1/2 dozen

"If bitterness wants to get into the act, I offer it a cookie or a gumdrop."~James Broughton