A soft, chewy cookie, perfect for changing your mind about gingersnaps.
As a child, I only ate gingersnaps on camping trips. At home, we were a chocolate chip cookie family. Today, I’m a big fan of all things ginger. Those ginger candies from Trader Joe’s, a spicy ginger chai tea, candied ginger scones, I love them all!
I don’t know if it was the hefty dose of dried ginger in these cookies or the fact that I’d just opened a new jar, but the smell of ginger as I mixed them up the batter was so intense. After they’re baked, theĀ taste is subtle at first bite, then the ginger sneaks up on you, almost as an afterthought. It definitely makes it’s presence known.
If you followed the adventures of my colleagues, who made panettoneĀ last week, you’ll know these easy to make gingersnaps are a welcome change of pace. A couple of lesisurely hours spent in the kitchen and simple enough that you can have another project going at the same time. Catch up on Words with Friends or update your social media while they’re baking. Easy-peasy. I love the chewy texture, reminiscent of a snicker-doodle, no comparison to the hard, crisp cookies from a box that were only suitable for camping.
Being a good mom, I also made half a batch for our vegan daughter. I substituted an equal amount of Earth Balance spread for the butter, and 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon water mixed with 1 1/2 tablespoons of ground flax seeds for the egg and egg white. The cookie didn’t have the same irrestable texture, but if these substitutes were as good in baking as the real thing, French pastry chefs would have switched over long ago. My vegan version seemed to bake a little faster. I’m sure they’ll be appreciated, and hey, she won’t know what she’s missing!
Unlike my other blog posts, I don’t share the recipes from The Baking Bible, but you can pick up a copy on Amazon.
An accountant by trade and a food blogger since 2009, Lois Britton fell in love with Polish cuisine during the years she lived in PoznaÅ, Poland. As the creator of PolishHousewife.com,Ā she loves connecting readers with traditional Polish recipes. Lois has a graduate certificate in Food Writing and Photography from the University of South Florida. She is the author of The Polish Housewife Cookbook, available on Amazon and on her website.
faithy
You are a great Mom! Interesting that you can sub everything and make it vegan. Next time, if I ever need to change a recipe to vegan, I know to ask! š Both batches of cookies look awesome. I’ve never been on camping trips…and I don’t think I’m the type that would like camping..LOL!
polishhousewife
Camping wouldn’t be my idea of a vacation now, Faithy. I like a real bed and a shower!
Catherine
I hope your daughter appreciates your efforts. Does flaxseed give the rise of an egg?
polishhousewife
The flax seed gives a nutty taste, Catherine. There may be better substitutes out there.
Monica
Lois, kudos to you for making a vegan batch. See, I’m scary-cat baker, I never can bring myself to be daring and substitute anything in my baking (savory cooking, yes) I get too worry that I will ruin it somehow. Maybe I should bite the bullet next time.
polishhousewife
Be bold, Monica! š
Mendy
×”×
Good for you for making two batches. I also got the aftertaste affect affect. I like how you describe it.
polishhousewife
Thanks, Mendy!
Michele
Hi Lois! What a sweet mom you are! These really are delicious, aren’t they? I can’t remember ever being a fan of gingersnaps, and our family took chocolate chippers when we went camping! I made a huge batch of these. Please come and see me at http://www.artfuloven.com Happy baking!
polishhousewife
Thanks, Michele!
evilcakelady
you aer a great mom for making a vegan batch for your daughter! i used to hate ginger but now i adore it just like you.
polishhousewife
Thanks, ECL!
Jill
Wow, you make converting a recipe to vegan so easy. I too will call upon your expertise next time! Besides the difference in texture, what did you think of the flavor in the vegan cookie? BTW, you are a good mom to make two different versions!
polishhousewife
Thanks, Jill. Xantham gum might have been a better idea than the flax seeds.
Joan Wade
Love your blog – love your ex pat ribbon – all those wonderful things you create – Ginger cookies look delicious. I am doing mine tomorrow and hope they taste nice and gingery like yours ; )
polishhousewife
Thank you, Joan. Our time in Poland was a grand adventure. I hope you like the ginger cookies. My friends at work named them ginger-bends rather than gingersnaps.