Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Vegan Gingersnap Cookies

'Tis  the season
Without a doubt the best foods are the seasonal ones. They add variety to your diet and are a great way to live in the moment. And when it comes to Christmas cookies (which are indisputably the best cookies), all raise your nog to the Gingersnap.

A satisfying crunch, a warm burst of spice, and a sparkly, crinkled top perfect for the holidays. I am always drawn to the words "chai" and "spiced", and this is their time to shine. Because thinking about molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves at the beach just makes me uncomfortable.

Normally when I have a recipe that I've made repeatedly, I have a bunch of hand-written notes along side to what I've changed each time and how it turns out. Well, with Isa's recipes, there are no notes. I have made this recipe several times since October (when cookie season starts) and have never felt even a slight desire to change a thing about it.* So unfortunately, I cannot pass them out claiming to be my own original recipe. Fortunately,  I have no problem giving her all of the credit.

* I have used whole wheat flour in place of white, and have used brown, turbinado, and demerrara sugars in place of white. Evidently, I do not like any white in my cookies.

In Vegan With a Vengeance, Isa Chandra Moskowitz calls them Sparkled Ginger Cookies, I call them Gingersnaps. Tomayto, tomahto, right?
Yields 2 dozen cookies

2 cups white whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup baking oil (I used extra-light olive oil)
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup nondairy milk (I used vanilla unsweetened almondmilk)
1 cup brown sugar (Use demerrara sugar, finely ground in the food processor, if you want a crispy cookie)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Demerrara (or any coarse-crystal sugar) in a bowl for dipping dough

Heat oven to 350F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper, or use a Silpat liner.

In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside.

In a large bowl beat oil, molasses, nondairy milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. When well mixed, add dry ingredients in and mix with a large spoon. Scoop out a tablespoon of dough, roll into a ball with your palms, and flatten a bit as you dip it into the bowl of demerrara sugar for a nice crystal-y top coating. Separate an inch apart on baking sheet, as they will spread. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until bottoms are slightly browned. Let cool on tray for a few minutes before transferring off onto wire rack to cool completely.

7 comments:

  1. This is an excellent recipe! The cookies came out marvellous and I won the respect and admiration of many for them. Thank you!

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  2. Wow!! Just made this for a vegan dinner tonight! They were super easy to make and sooooo delicious!! Thanks for posting this recipe!!

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  3. Loved the recipe :-) thank you for sharing

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  4. great recipe, you can't eat just one!!! Thanks Ann for sharing. You've got more, keep them coming!!

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  5. Thanks for your recipe- I made them last night with a persimmonny-goodness twist. Yum! http://www.louisianavegan.com/2013/10/17/persimmon-gingersnaps/

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  6. Ooh, just made these and they're good. <3 Thanks for the recipe!

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