These cookies almost seem to twinkle when you sprinkle heavy sugar on top before baking.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup dark molasses
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons whipping cream
- 1 (3.25-oz.) jar coarse sparkling sugar
Preparation
- Combine first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl; stir until blended.
- Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add brown sugar, beating well. Beat in molasses, egg yolk, lemon rind, grated ginger, and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture; beat just until blended.
- Shape dough into a ball, and divide in half. Flatten each half into a round disk; wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill 2 1/2 hours until firm.
- Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out dough, 1 section at a time, to 1/4″ thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut into star shapes, using a 4″ cookie cutter. Place 1/2″ apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Whisk together 1 egg and whipping cream; brush egg wash lightly over cookies. Sprinkle heavily with sparkling sugar.
- Bake at 325° for 17 minutes or until cookies are puffed and slightly darker around edges. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheets; remove with parchment paper to wire racks to cool completely.
