Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups All-Purpose Flour, sifted
- 2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 Tbsp Ground Ginger
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- ½ tsp Ground Cloves
- ½ tsp Fine Sea Salt
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter, softened (2 sticks)
- ½ cup Granulated Sugar (for dough)
- ¾ cup Packed Light Brown Sugar
- 1 Large Egg, room temperature
- ⅓ cup Dark Molasses (Treacle)
- 1 Tbsp Fresh Ginger, finely grated
- ¼ cup Crystallized Ginger, finely minced
- ½ cup Granulated Sugar (for rolling)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground spices (ginger, cinnamon, cloves), and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of your mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light, fluffy, and pale (about 3-4 minutes). Scrape down the bowl halfway through.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg until just combined. Reduce speed to low and incorporate the molasses, fresh grated ginger, and minced crystallized ginger. Mix until homogeneous.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix only until the flour streaks disappear. Do not overmix.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for a minimum of 45 minutes to prevent spreading and ensure a chewy snap.
- Scoop and Roll: Place the rolling sugar in a shallow bowl. Using a scoop, portion the chilled dough into balls (approx. 1.5 inches / 4 cm diameter).
- Coat Thoroughly: Roll each ball generously in the granulated sugar, ensuring it is completely coated. This coating creates the signature cracked surface.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the sugared dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches (5 cm) between them.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through. Bake for 12 minutes for maximum crisp snap, or 10 minutes for chewier biscuits. The edges should look set.
- Cool: Let the biscuits cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer carefully to a wire rack to cool completely. The biscuits will crisp up as they cool.