from dave jonas

These are the most amazing ginger cookies I've ever had -- big, soft, and ginger ... fabulous.

• 3/4 C butter, room temp
• 1 C dark brown sugar
• 1/4 C molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 1/4 C flour
• 2 t ground ginger
• 2 t baking soda
• 1/2 t salt
• 1 1/2 T crushed ginger root
• 3 oz. crystallized ginger, chopped

Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Beat in the molasses and then the egg.

In a separate bowl, sift the flour, ground ginger, baking soda, and salt. Stir the dry ingredients into the butter. Mix with a wooden spoon until blended. Add the ginger root and crystallized ginger and stir until well mixed. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

Heat oven to 350F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Bake until browned, about 10 minutes.

Remove cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

from The Silver Palate Cookbook