What's In My Cookie Jar? : Ginger Crackles - ABC Dec 2012

I have not made any cookies in ages! I wanted to, many times, but some other bakes always takes precedence over cookies. Avid Baker's Challenge bake for December 2012 is just perfect, cookies! We are baking Ginger Crackles, from this fabulous book, it is now one of my favourite baking book, The Weekend Baker by Abigail Johnson Dodge. And this is the last bake from this book, at ABC. For the past 12 months we have baked 12 recipes from The Weekend Baker, ranging from breads, cakes, pies and tarts to cookies, and each one has been fantastic! I really like Abby Dodge's recipes, though I find that she uses lots of sugar in all of her bakes. And I have always reduced the sugar in her recipes and all have turned out great. Even though this is the last bake for this year from this book over at ABC, it would not be the last one for me, there are lots of other recipes that I am looking forward to try.

What's In My Cookie Jar?
Ginger Crackles !!

These Ginger Crackles are rather chewy, with cake-like moist texture on the inside with a light crisp crust. According to Abby and from the picture cover of the book (my book is of a different picture cover), these cookies have tops that are ridged with beautiful cracks. As you can see from my cookies above, they do not really crack.

There are a few cracked lines on top, but only just a few. These cookies are packed with spice flavours. The spices used are ground ginger, ground cloves and ground cinnamon. Light molasses is one of the ingredients, but I have used dark molasses as that was what I had.  Of course, as usual, I have reduced the amount of sugar, by cutting it to half a cup, from the original 1 cup. The sweetnesss turns out just right for us. Could it be, this is the reason that these cookies are not cracking up well enough? 

How did these cookies fare with the family? Both my kids love it while these are still slightly warm, when the texture is still soft, chewy and moist with a crispy crust, and they had it with a glass of cold milk. These cookies are full of  wonderful spice flavour. I rather enjoyed these too while the cookies are still warm, but overall, I'm a "crispy cookie" person! 

Please do visit Avid Baker's Challenge (ABC) to see my friends Ginger Crackles, their cookies have beautiful lovely cracks.

Here's a recap, of the bakes that I've baked from "The Weekend Baker" by Abigail Johnson Dodge, together with my baking friends at ABC :

Dec : Ginger Crackles

 Nov : Velvety Pumpkin Tart

Oct : Honey Oatmeal Bread

Sept : Mile-High Vanilla Sponge Cake

Aug : Glazed Mango-Mulberry Galette

Jul : Classic Fruit Tart

June : Brioche

May : Choc Chip Scones

Apr : Buttery Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls

Mar : Emergency Blender Cupcakes

Feb : Glazed Cinnamon Rolls

Jan : Chocolate Banana Swirl Cake

Which is my favourite? I like them all, but the one that stands out the most is definitely the Brioche for me! 

Starting in January 2013, Avid Baker's Challenge will be baking from King Arthur Flour's website. ABC will bake once a month, you are most welcome to join us, please do contact Hanaa for the full details.