Irresistible Cocoa Ginger Crisps: The Ultimate Chocolate & Spice Cookie Recipe
Prepare to be amazed by the delightful flavor combination of these Cocoa Ginger Crisps! These cookies offer a perfect harmony of rich cocoa and a subtle, warming hint of ginger, creating a treat that’s both comforting and exciting.
Like many home bakers, I have my culinary preferences. I absolutely adore the spicy kick and chewy texture of classic ginger snaps. My husband, on the other hand, is generally not a fan of ginger. Chocolate, however, is a universal love in our household – though I might argue my passion for it runs a little deeper! This intriguing dynamic set the stage for a delightful discovery within the pages of a cherished kitchen staple: the Hershey’s 100th Anniversary Cookbook. This particular cookbook has proven to be an invaluable resource, filled with timeless recipes that often become instant family favorites.
What makes this specific recipe for Cocoa Ginger Crisps truly exceptional, beyond its incredible taste, is the convenience it offers. It’s a fantastic choice for those who love to plan ahead, as the dough can be prepared in advance and then either refrigerated or frozen until you’re ready to bake. Imagine the joy of having warm, fresh-from-the-oven cookies at a moment’s notice! There’s simply nothing better than that comforting aroma filling your kitchen and the taste of a perfectly baked cookie, still warm, melting in your mouth.
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The Magic of Cocoa Ginger Crisps: A Recipe Revealed
This recipe truly shines because the ginger isn’t overwhelming; it’s a subtle, simple hint that complements the cocoa beautifully. In fact, it’s so perfectly balanced that my husband, a self-proclaimed ginger-hater, didn’t even realize it was there until I told him! This makes it a fantastic cookie to introduce to anyone hesitant about spiced treats.
Cocoa Ginger Crisps
Ingredients for Cocoa Ginger Crisps
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened: The foundation of our cookie, providing richness and tenderness. Ensure it’s softened to cream easily with sugar.
- 1 1/3 cups sugar, divided: Sweetens the dough and, when mixed with cocoa for rolling, creates a beautiful crackled, sugary crust.
- 1 egg: Acts as a binder, adding moisture and helping the cookies achieve their structure.
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup: A secret ingredient for chewiness and to prevent crystallization, giving these crisps a delightful texture.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The primary dry ingredient, providing the necessary structure for our cookies.
- 6 tablespoons plus 1 1/4 teaspoons Hershey’s Cocoa, divided: For deep chocolate flavor and color in the dough, with a small portion reserved for the outer coating. We recommend using a good quality cocoa for the best taste.
- 2 teaspoons baking soda: Our leavening agent, helping the cookies to spread and become nicely crisp.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger: The star spice, offering a subtle warmth without overpowering the chocolate. This small amount is key to its “secret ingredient” status.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the sweet and spicy flavors in the cookie.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Cocoa Ginger Crisps
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixer bowl, begin by beating the softened butter, 1 cup of sugar, and the egg together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This aeration process is crucial for a tender cookie. Next, add the light corn syrup and continue beating until all ingredients are well blended and smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, 6 tablespoons of Hershey’s cocoa, baking soda, ground ginger, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet butter mixture, beating on low speed until everything is just combined and a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour, or until it’s firm enough to handle easily. This chilling step helps prevent spreading and allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Shape and Coat the Cookies: While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare a shallow bowl with the remaining 1/3 cup of sugar and 1 1/4 teaspoon of cocoa, stirring them together until evenly combined. This delightful sugar-cocoa mixture will create an irresistible crunchy coating. Once the dough is firm, scoop and shape it into 1-inch balls. For consistent size, consider using a small cookie scoop. Roll each dough ball generously in the sugar-cocoa mixture to coat them completely. This step not only adds flavor and texture but also creates those beautiful crackles on the finished crisps.
- Bake and Cool: Place the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Give them enough space to spread. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies have flattened and the edges are set. The centers might still seem slightly soft, but they will firm up as they cool. Do not overbake to ensure a tender, crisp texture. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for 1 minute before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This brief cooling period on the hot sheet helps them set without breaking.
Notes & Tips for Success
Make-Ahead Magic: This recipe is perfect for busy schedules! You can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and keep it refrigerated, or freeze it for up to 3 months. If freezing, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Thaw in the refrigerator before shaping and baking.
Adjusting Ginger Intensity: If you’re a true ginger enthusiast, feel free to increase the ground ginger to 1/2 teaspoon for a more pronounced kick. For those who are extremely sensitive to ginger, you could even slightly reduce it to a scant 1/8 teaspoon, though the original amount is very subtle.
Serving Suggestions: These Cocoa Ginger Crisps are wonderfully versatile. Enjoy them on their own with a cup of coffee or tea, alongside a glass of cold milk, or as a delightful end to any meal. They also make fantastic gifts during the holidays or for special occasions.
Storage: Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain their crispness and flavor. If they start to soften, you can refresh them with a quick 5-minute bake in a 250°F (120°C) oven.
recipe source ChocolateChocolateandmore.com
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Explore More Delicious Cookie Recipes!
If you’ve enjoyed the perfect blend of chocolate and spice in our Cocoa Ginger Crisps, you’re in for a treat! We have a treasure trove of other fantastic cookie recipes that are sure to satisfy any craving. Whether you’re looking for something elegantly decorated, wonderfully zesty, or simply classic, our collection has something for every baker and every occasion. Dive into these other popular cookie delights:
Chocolate Decorator Cookies
Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars
Cookies and Cream Cookies
Chocolate Springerle Cookies
Decorating Cookies with Royal Icing
50 Cookies for Your Christmas Plate
A Special Note in Memory of Joan:
This recipe, like so many others cherished on Chocolate Chocolate and More, comes from the wonderful legacy of Joan. Joan passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 22, 2015. She had gone to bed feeling nauseous, which is one of the often-overlooked signs of heart attacks in women, and tragically, she never woke up. It’s a stark reminder that heart attack symptoms in women can differ significantly from those in men. If you experience unusual nausea, especially if you have high blood pressure or a family history of heart disease, please do not dismiss it as just the flu. Seek medical attention promptly.
Joan’s passion for sharing delicious recipes and her love for chocolate were immense. She made it very clear that she wanted her work and her dream to continue, even in the event of her death. Her family and fellow bloggers are dedicated to keeping her memory and her culinary spirit alive. In the days following her passing, a heartfelt online campaign emerged with the hashtags #ChocolateForJoan and #chocolateeverydamnday. We invite you to join us in honoring Joan’s incredible legacy by enjoying a piece of chocolate every day, and perhaps by baking a batch of these comforting Cocoa Ginger Crisps. It’s a sweet way to remember a truly special person.