Recipe: Ginger spice cookies
From Epicurious

Makes about 30 cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups of all purpose flour
1 cup of (packed) dark brown sugar
3/4 cup of chopped crystallized ginger
1/2 cup of vegetable shortening, room temperature
1/4 cup of mild-flavored (light) molasses
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) of unsalted butter, room temperature (Used 3/4 of a stick to make up for shortening omit)
2 1/2 teaspoons of ground ginger
2 teaspoons of baking soda
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon of ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon of salt
1 large egg, room temperature
More sugar for rolling

Procedure:

1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, ground ginger, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt. Whisk to blend. Mix in chopped crystallized ginger.

2. Using electric mixer, beat brown sugar, shortening and butter in large bowl until fluffy. Add egg and molasses and beat until blended. Add flour mixture and mix just until blended.

3. Cover completely with wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

4. Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter 2 baking sheets.

5. Spoon sugar in thick layer onto small plate. Using wet hands, form dough into 1 1/4-inch balls; roll in sugar to coat completely. Place balls on prepared sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.

6. Bake cookies until cracked on top but still soft to touch, about 11-12 minutes. Cool on sheets for 1 minute. Carefully transfer to racks and cool.

Special thanks to J for inspiring me to try this recipe, and also for working so hard in the kitchen!!