Chewy Ginger Cookies

I've given my Christmas gifts a lot of thought this year and I know exactly what I am giving to each person on my list. I have quite the range of people to give to- from single to married, young and old, small child to teen. I had to think not only about our budget, but also what would mean the most to the people I would be giving gifts to.

I like to give things that can be a blessing during the holidays. Things like meat and cheese baskets, breakfast baskets, homemade bread and jam or even blankets, books and music. Things you are going to need and use anyway. This year I have several busy families on my list, and a few single guys as well, and I had a brilliant idea.

Pre-made, pre-portioned frozen cookie dough. They can keep it stashed in the freezer and whenever they want cookies all they have to do is heat the oven and pop the cookies on a baking sheet. How nice would that be? Something sitting in your freezer that you could bake at a moments notice for unexpected company, for impromptu hot cocoa and cookie snacks to go with a Christmas movie, a special lunch treat when there hasn't been a lot of time to mix up a batch of cookies or simply just because. What a blessing! Or at least I *think* it would be a blessing. I could be wrong and if I am there are going to be some disappointed people on my Christmas list!

So, over the next few days as I make and freeze the cookies for my gifts baskets, I'll be sharing the recipes and the process that I use for getting them ready for the freezer. Follow along and by the end of 2 weeks, you could have gift baskets ready to go too!

The first cookie that I wanted to do was my famous chewy ginger cookies. I shouldn't tell any of you this, because some of you reading will be recipients of my gifts, but I'm trying to keep the flavor and texture of my baked goods while adding more good-for-you ingredients. So, in most of my cookies you will see some of the white flour replaced with soft wheat that I'm grinding myself. You absolutely cannot tell the difference in these cookies, but if you prefer to use all white flour, just substitute it for the whole wheat in these recipes.

Do what I do and make a double batch- one to bake now for your family and one to freeze as gifts!

Chewy Ginger Cookies
this is a Betty Crocker Recipe, original title "Gingersnaps"

1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup shortening
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/4 cups flour
1 cup soft wheat flour (ground fine) OR 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

Mix the brown sugar, shortening, molasses and egg together. Add in the baking soda, salt and ginger. Stir well to combine. Add the flour all at once and stir until it's well mixed in. Scoop tablespoons out and roll into balls, then roll into granulated sugar  Place on cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Let cool on a wire rack.

To Freeze: Make recipe as directed through rolling the balls in sugar. At this point, freeze them in a single layer on a cookie sheet until very firm. Put frozen cookie dough balls into a freezer bag and label.

I have a seriously cute way to package these up that I'll be showing you once we have all of the dough made and frozen.

Of course I baked half the recipe for my family. Some I am freezing for later in the month lunch treats as baked cookies. To do this, I wrap a few in waxed paper and tie with kitchen twine. Freeze in a zip top bag for up to 4 months.