There’s never not a perfect time for cookies, so why not while away an afternoon making cookies with a warming spark of spice baked right inside? These delicious molasses spice cookies are easy to make, and, alongside a glass of milk and a blazing fire, are part of a recipe for winter contentment.

Chinese Five Spice Cookies

INGREDIENTS

·       1 cup butter

·       1 cup granulated sugar (plus another cup and a half or so for rolling prior to baking)

·       1 cup brown sugar

·       1/2 plus 1tablespoon cup dark molasses

·       2 eggs

·       ¼ teaspoon orange extract

·       4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

·       4 teaspoons baking soda (yes, that’s right: 4 teaspoons!)

·       1 1/2 tablespoon ground ginger

·       2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

·       2 teaspoons Chinese Five Spice

·       3/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream room temperature butter and sugars until smooth.  Add eggs, molasses, and orange extract and mix until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. 

In a separate bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients. Add one third at a time and mix until combined.

Wrap the dough well in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 90 minutes or until thoroughly chilled.

Roll approximately 3 tablespoons of dough at a time into small balls. Roll each ball in a bowl of sugar to coat completely, and place on a lined baking sheet. Place balls approximately 2.5” apart.

When the baking sheet is full, bake for 10 minutes, at which point they should start to crackle. Baking longer makes crispier cookies, but these are great at the chewy stage.

STORY, PHOTOGRAPHY AND FOOD BY KEITH RECKER