GINGER COOKIES

After the holidays, there is a time when I start feeling nostalgic about festivities warmness and joy!
What do I do then?
I bake ginger cookies to sparkle my day again!
Ginger cookies are a bomb of heat because they contain lots of warming spices.
I make them even more powerful adding cocoa powder and chocolate......
....a delicious explotion of joy!
In this form they remind me of Mostaccioli, a sweet Christmas speciality
from my region in Italy.

Here it comes the recepe!

TRADITIONAL GINGER COOKIES

Ingredients:
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp ginger powder
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp garam masala or all spices
1/2 tsp cloves powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 pinch of black pepper
1/2 cup sugar (use brown one if you have it)
2/3 cup maple syrup
1 stick butter (120 g)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg

In a bowl mix all dry ingredients, then add melted butter, oil and egg.
If it is too dry add a bit of water.
Mix all ingredients well, transfer on a wooden board and knead it.
Shape dough as a ball and transfer in a bowl and cover with cling paper.
Let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Turn on oven at 350 F.

With a rolling pin press dough to half inch thickness.
Cut with a ginger man shape.
Put cookies on a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes.

Once cooled decorate cookies with icing.

GINGER COOKIES AFTER CHRISTMAS

Add to ingredients 2 tsp of cocoa powder.
Use same procedure except cutting and icing.
Cut in a round shape.

Once baked and cooled dip them in melted dark chocolate.
Put them in a tray on a parchment paper and let the chocolate
cool down.

Enjoy them with a nice cup of tea!!!