I wish I could tell you that I created this recipe. I mean, I really, really wish I could.
Because this cookie is, hands down, my single favorite recipe on this site.
Absolute. FAV. Which is why I’m blogging about it again.
It was the brain child of this fabulous baker over at Baking Bites. I’m giving her all the credit, because, let’s face it, she deserves it. I bow to the master.
I get that it’s my job to give you lots of fabulous cookies and tell you every week how amazing they are and how you should try them and all that.
I hope it doesn’t make you think that this cookie is the same level of amazing as all the others. It’s not. This cookie is the king of all the others.
I tell you all this because I want you to understand what you are getting into. This particular cookie has a couple unusual ingredients, and I would hate for you to be surprised.
First, you’ll definitely need some balsamic vinegar. I’m pretty sure this is the only cookie recipe I have ever made with balsamic vinegar. It’s downright unusual.
Second, find yourself some crystallized ginger. At my local store, they sell it with the bulk candy and dried fruits, but I realize that not all stores do this. If all else fails, you can find it in a jar next to the spices. You’ll need the entire jar.
If you’ve never experienced crystallized ginger, I highly recommend it. If you enjoy ginger, you’ll probably find this dried-and-sugared version even yummier. If you don’t enjoy ginger, this is a little easier to handle. It’s also good for you. Sometimes I chop it up and put it in granola. Is that weird?
Third, you’ll need some mini-chips. Okay, this one is not really all that weird. It’s just a little weird for me, because even though I have a box FULL of chips… {semi-sweet, chocolate mint chips, cinnamon chips, peanut butter chips, peppermint chips, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, need I go on?} … I almost never have mini chips in there.
Which is why I used regular chips in today’s batch.
Because it’s just cookies, after all.
Chocolate Gingersnaps
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ginger (dry powdered)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups flour
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (or chopped semi-sweet chocolate)
- 1/3 cup diced crystallized ginger
- 1/3 cup coarse sugar
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add egg, molasses, vinegar, and vanilla. Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients slowly to wet mixture. Mix just until incorporated.
- Fold diced ginger and chocolate into the dough.
- Roll into 1-inch balls and roll in coarse sugar. Place on baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
- Allow cookies to cool before storing in an airtight container.
These look amazing! I hope you’ll share them at our Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap: http://thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com/2012/12/holiday-cookie-recipe-swap-week-3.html
I just put ginger snaps on my shopping list, but now that I have seen this maybe I’ll make them instead!
loving all the spices & flavors in here from the balsamic vinegar to the molasses, cloves, and black pepper and I love gingersnaps!
These look so yummy. I would have never thought to put balsamic vinegar in a cookie. Can’t wait to try. Pinning now!
Baked these today! Beautiful and soft!
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These look so incredibly flavorful! Can’t wait to try them out this weekend!
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I’m not going to make it through the holidays. These look great. It combines my two favorite flavors. Thank you for sharing.
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These cookies are fantastic! A new holiday favorite. Brought them to a get-together at a friend’s house and they were very well received. Love them.
I just made these cookies, and they are delicious! I love chocolate & ginger, and I was so intrigued by the addition of balsamic vinegar and black pepper that I just had to try these. Despite being pooped after having prepped for the holidays, I’m so glad I made these tonight. I know my family will love them tomorrow and on Christmas!
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I can’t wait to try this recipe. I’ve only ever used ground ginger in a recipe and I need a little clarification. The 1 tsp ginger…is this fresh (ginger root) or ground ginger? And the next instruction [” Finely dice ginger pieces. Fold ginger and chocolate into dough”] is referring to the crystallized ginger, correct? Thanks!
The 1 tsp of ginger is dry, powdered ginger. And the diced ginger pieces refers to the dried, crystallized ginger, yes.