12 Days of Cookies "Apple Cider Ginger Cookies" Day 6

 

Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday of the year,

 

 

for a myriad of reasons.

 

 

One of those is my annual "Gal Pals ONLY Christmas Party".

 

Last year's was a resounding success,

(NOTE: No, mySamuelson was not in attendance- remember, NO testosterone! ;)  This pic was taken at the end of the night- minus a few who had to leave early- just in time for him to photo bomb after returning from a movie with Dad.)

 

with a whole lotta smiles

 

 

 

and  much laughter.

Per the party's tradition, attire was casual.

 And the Ornament Exchange a barrel of fun.

 

 

You know what, though?

Somehow nobody got a picture of the spread of cookies from our Cookie Exchange!! 

Than again, they didn't grace the table all that long. ;)

 

With being such a pretty cookie, as well as one of mine and mySamuelson's faves, it demands its turn in the spotlight.  

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Apple Cider Ginger Cookies

                        Ingredients:

                        2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour           

                        ¾ t salt               

                        1 T ground ginger

                        2 t baking soda                                 

                        1 t cinnamon       

                        1 t ground allspice

                        1 t ground cloves                            

                        1 large egg          

                        1 t vanilla extract

                        1/3 cup apple butter                                                    

                        1 ¼ cups packed dark brown sugar

                        12 T (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature      

 

                        Directions:

                        In a bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger,

                        allspice, and cloves; set aside.  Using an electric mixer, cream butter and

                        brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 min.  Add egg, vanilla, and

                        apple butter and mix until just combined.  Stir in the flour mixture in two

                        batches, beating each addition on low speed until just incorporated; cover

                        and refrigerate dough for 1 hr.

                        Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Line 2 baking sheets with

                        parchment.  Form chilled dough into 2-tablespoon-size balls (you can use

                        a 1 ½-inch cookie scoop), then roll in the red sugar to coat.  Place balls on

                        prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart.  Bake until lightly browned around

                        the edges, 10-12 min.  Cool on the baking sheet for 5 min; transfer to a

                        wire rack to cool completely.  Store at room temperature up to 1 week.

                       

                        Yields: 3 1/2 dozen