Gingersnap Cookies with White Chocolate

servings: 3 dozen cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup molasses
2 tablespoons canola oil
2¼ teaspoons baking soda
1¼ teaspoons cinnamon
1¼ teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 large eggs
3½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ cups white chocolate chips
1 cup granulated or turbinado sugar, for coating cookie dough balls

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Then line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Then beat in the molasses, canola oil, baking soda, cinnamon, ground cloves, vanilla, salt, and ginger. Mix these ingredients until well combined.
Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating the mixture until smooth. Slowly stir in the flour, then stir in the white chocolate chips.
Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls, roll them in the granulated or turbinado sugar, and place them on the lined baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake the cookies until they are set up and firm in the center—8-10 minutes; they will still be soft but will harden more as they cool.
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring then to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

: @NikkiDinki

: @NikkiDinkiCooking

My sister, Alecia, is One with the cookie the same way some people are One with nature.

And by “the cookie” I mean every cookie ever made.

Come December, she hosts an epic Christmas party and serves not one, not two, not five, but over 20 different types of cookies!

She starts making preparations weeks before and then freezes most of the cookies (and yes, they defrost beautifully!).

But there is one cookie that cannot be made ahead of time, and is also very, very delicate.

This cookie is so amazing, so unique, so incredibly delicious, that even though it's not the easiest to prepare in advance, Alecia ALWAYS makes it.

Chocolate Clouds are her favorite and they will always be on her table (and in lots of happy bellies!).

The airiness, chewiness, and crunchiness of a meringue cookie is already addicting--but when you fold in cocoa powder and chocolate chips, it becomes downright irresistible.

Since most of you are not lucky enough to come to the party, I’ve brought the party to you. I now present you with Alecia’s favorite cookies, Chocolate Clouds!

Chocolate Clouds

servings: 30 Cookies

Ingredients:

3 egg whites, at room temperature
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 300ºF. Then line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or foil.
In a large bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar using an electric mixer set to high until soft peaks form. Next, gradually add the sugar and vanilla, beating well after each addition until stiff peaks hold, the sugar is dissolved, and the mixture is glossy. Then sift the cocoa onto the mixture and gently fold until just combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips and then drop the mixture in heaping tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheet. Smooth out the tops of each cloud slightly.
Bake just until the chocolate clouds are dry and crisp on top—35 minutes. If the cookies are not coming off the pan easily, bake for longer. Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before peeling the paper from the clouds. Store covered, at room temperature.

: @NikkiDinki

: @NikkiDinkiCooking

Original recipe from Food.com