These are some of my favorite holiday cookies, not that I've met many home baked cookies that I didn't like. I love the combination of spices and the fact that they are not at all fussy to make. My only complaint is that they kind of need a different name since they are only balls going into the oven. I'd hate to rename them, though, since they are named for someone's grandmother.If you've never used freshly ground nutmeg before, this should convert you! It make a real difference.
Ruth Moulton's Spice Balls
Note that these "balls" will be flat after baking.
12 Tbs ( 1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp table salt
- Combine the butter and 1 cup of the sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in the egg and molasses.
- Sift the flour, soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and salt together onto a piece of parchment. Add to the butter mixture in 2 batches, beating just until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 2 to 3 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a pie plate. Shape the dough into walnut-size balls and roll in the sugar to coat. Arrange 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets (Silpat works fine) and bake until cracked and dry but still soft, about 10 minutes. Cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to cool on wire racks.
Source: Sara Moulton Cooks at Home
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