12 Days of Cookies, Day 3: Spicy molasses cookies with cinnamon chips

•  3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/8 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 10-ounce package cinnamon baking chips
• 3/4-1 cup turbinado sugar, for rolling cookies

1. In large bowl, cream butter and sugars 3-5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses, egg, vanilla and ginger.

2. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves, cayenne, kosher salt, nutmeg, coriander, cardamom and white pepper; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Mix in cinnamon chips.

3. Cover and refrigerate about 1  1/2 hours or until easy to handle.

4. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough into 1/2-inch balls, then roll in turbinado sugar. Place balls 3 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minute or until just set. Cool 2 minutes on pans before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Store in airtight container.

Nutritional analysis per cookie: 52 calories, 2 grams fat, 8 grams carbohydrates, trace protein, 6 milligrams cholesterol, 29 milligrams sodium, trace dietary fiber, 38 percent of calories from fat.

Karen Barker, Garland