Spicy Ginger Date Cookies (aka, the BEST COOKIES IN THE WORLD!)

This is one of those recipes that I have been saving for a special occasion. Christmas seems as good a time as any for revealing the recipe for the BEST. COOKIES. IN. THE. WORLD.

(In my humble opinion).

OK so these cookies. The thing that makes them the best cookies in the world? They are made with fresh ginger. Which, when paired with rich molasses and sweet dates, produces the most awesome sweet and spicy and chewy treat ever. The PERFECT morsel for an after-dinner treat.

I may or may not have consumed seven of these today. Oops. I need to exercise more self control. Or leave my house and run far far away and never look back. One of those two things.

Actually, I don’t feel THAT bad about eating seven, because these are healthier than most cookies. They are made with whole wheat flour, and half the amount of sugar than your average cookie. Yet, they are still delightfully sweet because of the natural sugars in the dates, fresh ginger, and molasses (without being TOO sweet). Not to mention, ginger is really (REALLY!) good for you. These ain’t no salad, but as far as cookies go… pretty healthy!

Also, they are sparkly. Because you roll them in turbinado sugar before baking them. Which gives them an awesome crunchy and sweet outer layer to compliment the spicy, chewy, melt-in-your-mouth inside and makes them a beautiful treat to bring to a Christmas party or give as a gift. What’s Christmas without sparkles?

If you can’t find dates, I’ve made these with other dried fruits before (apricots, figs, and a combination of both). You can use another kind of dried fruit if you want (I bet golden raisins would be delicious!), or you can omit them. OR, you can add pieces of chocolate! These cookies are flexible… as long as you have the base dough, try mixing in other fun ingredients. You can’t go wrong.

Make too many? Sugared out after all the sweets of the holidays? Freeze the extra and enjoy individually for a bite-sized after dinner sweet treat.

And without further delay, I present to you, the recipe for the BEST. COOKIES. IN. THE. WORLD! Enjoy, and merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you have a restful week full of family, fun, food, and sparkles :-)

Spicy Ginger Date Cookies

★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

These cookies are made with fresh ginger for a spicy, sweet, chewy treat that’s perfect for after dinner. Made healthier with whole wheat flour and half the sugar of your average cookie!

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Yield: 3 dozen

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (spelt flour can also be used)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1/2 cup (one stick) butter
• 1/2 cup dark molasses
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh, peeled ginger (from about a 2″ piece)
• 1/2 cup natural cane sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup chopped dried dates
• 1/2 cup turbinado sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

1. Mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground ginger in a medium bowl. Set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, melt together butter, molasses, natural cane sugar, and fresh ginger. Allow to cool for a bit, and whisk in the egg. Stir in the dates.
3. Add butter mixture to flour mixture, stirring to just combine.
4. Refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes.
5. When ready to bake, line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
6. Put the turbinado sugar in a small bowl.
7. Using a small kitchen scoop or spoon, get small portions of the dough and roll into no bigger than 1-inch balls.
8. Coat each ball in turbinado sugar and place on prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake each batch for 7-9 minutes. Allow to cool on a cooling rack.