Ginger Cookie Magic for Fall

Manifesting cooler temperatures with autumnal treats

In the ongoing effort to try to force autumn to happen for real and in honor of the equinox, we enjoyed time around the firepit last night. After work, we took a walk in Couturie Forest where I found not one, but five leaves that had turned colors ranging from brown and gold to red, then we came home where I baked a batch of ginger cookies and performed a ritual sweeping of the floors and sage burning to boot out the negative energy — Summer, I’m talking to you. By about 9 p.m. I needed a shower because of all of the sweating and today it’s over 90 degrees, but I refuse to be thwarted and will continue to manifest fall in any and all ways I can muster. Why am I telling you all of this? Well, to share the ginger cookie recipe, obviously.  

I adapted the “Big Soft Ginger Cookies” recipe from tasteofhome.com, but I tweaked it to cut down on the butter just the tiniest bit by using one stick of butter and three tablespoons of coconut oil in lieu of ¾ cup of butter. Every little bit counts, right?

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter, softened (or
  • 1 cup sugar (I used cane sugar)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup molasses (I used Steen’s)
  • 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda (I subbed three teaspoons baking powder because I was out of baking soda)
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Additional sugar (I omitted rolling them in sugar, but you do you)

Directions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg and molasses. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well.
  2. Roll into 1-1/2-inch balls, then roll in sugar (or not). Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets (I placed parchment sheets underneath). Bake until puffy and lightly browned (I flattened with a spatula about ¾ of the way through, because the baking powder puffed them up), about 10-12 minutes.
  3. Remove to wire racks to cool.
  4. I added in this part, but encourage everyone to do it, because oh my god it’s still too hot and I will do anything at this point:
    • Light a candle, twirl in a circle three times and repeat, “Autumn leaves and spiced treats/autumn above and at my feet/autumn outside, cozy indoors/autumn is here, open the and doors.”

If we all work together this incantation might just work, right? Do you have any autumnal spells you want to share or would you like to yell at Melanie for encouraging people to use magic? Email melanie@myneworleans.com.

Digital Sponsors

Become a MyNewOrleans.com sponsor ...