
Christmas Cookie Times: Better-than-Starbucks’ Ginger Molasses Cookies
Have you seen those big ginger molasses cookies in Starbucks, and drooled?
I have drooled, I’m almost certain. They are so big and perfectly coated in sugar crystals, and look so warm and inviting and like such a great accompaniment to a hot drink like, oh, I don’t know…a gingerbread latte maybe? Or an eggnog latte? (*Update! Thanks to the coincidental timing of the universe, Chocolate-Covered Katie posted a recipe for a healthier, homemade Gingerbread Spice Latte on her blog today – check it out here – it’s the perfect complement to one of these cookies!)
The problem is, I give in, I have one, and I feel gross. Maybe some of you lucky ducks don’t have this problem but with the sugar in them (41 grams! Wow. 41 grams = sugar high, and an inevitable – and bad – sugar LOW), the high calories (430! In ONE COOKIE! That’s a whole dinner!) and the high fat content (12g baby), that cookie isn’t looking so good anymore.
But still – they LOOK so irresistible. And smell even better.
Well, how about making a batch at home and keeping them in a tupperware all week to feast off of whenever you reach for that latte (homemade or Starbucks-bought, that part is up to you ;)).
I take them to work with me in a sandwich bag and have the perfect mid-morning snack to go with my tea, an easy way to ward off the temptation of all those baked goods floating around my office at this time of year.
Why go to the effort of making them for yourself at home? Well, you get a whole batch for less than the price of ONE cookie at Starbucks (unless you buy all your ingredients at Whole Paycheque – if so, I can’t guarantee anything about prices!). You have them at your disposal whenever you want, without having to venture into the pouring rain to your local Starbuckers (oh sorry, that might just be me, living in good ol’ rainy Vancouver and all). But the best advantage?
These babies are 130 calories each (if recipe makes 24). Naturally sweetened, so no sugar high (and only a natural sugar count of 12g per cookie). And with a fat count of 6g per cookie. (Nutritional facts are approximate and based on the brands I used, but should be fairly accurate).
And they’re big. They’re still big, they’re still covered in sugar crystals and they’re still just as delicious looking, smelling AND tasting as the Starbucks version. It’s no contest, really, is it?
Christmas cookies are a necessary part of this time of year. They just FIT with Christmas. So if we’re going to treat ourselves, let’s do it right – no nasty after-effects, no holiday weight gain that has everyone putting “Lose 10 lbs” on their New Years resolutions list. Just a nice treat that you can enjoy…oh, guiltlessly?
Here you go ;). Thank me later peeps!
By the way, yes, I seem to be making a habit out of modifying Starbucks’ recipes. What can I say, I’m so tempted by their goodies! I just have to find a way to make them so I can eat them. For my Better-than-Starbucks’ Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins, click here.
Better-than-Starbucks’ Ginger Molasses Cookies
INGREDIENTS (makes 18-24 depending on how big you want them!):
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (I’ve made this gluten-free before, using 1 cup almond flour, 1 cup all-purpose Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free flour, 1/4 cup brown rice flour. Also, replace the baking soda with 1 tsp of tapioca flour)
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup coconut sugar
1/4 cup Sucanat
1 egg
1/4 cup blackstrap unsulphured molasses
Extra Sucanat for sprinkling
DIRECTIONS:
1. Sift together all dry ingredients in a small bowl (flour, pumpkin pie spice, ginger, baking soda).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine with the coconut sugar. Sprinkle in the Sucanat once the mixture is creamed, and mix well.
3. Beat the egg in a bowl and then stir in the water and molasses.
4. Add flour mixture to the large bowl and stir until just combined. *NOTE: You may need to add a little extra flour. I have made these a few times and every time I find the dough is a bit different. If it’s too wet to roll the cookies into balls, add a little extra flour, but you shouldn’t need more than 1/4 to 1/3 cup flour.
5. Once mixed, roll bits of dough into balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle Sucanat over cookies.
6. Bake in a preheated oven (350 degrees F) for 10-12 minutes. DON’T OVERCOOK! Even though they may feel soft, take them out and let cool for another 10 minutes. They’ll harden a bit while cooling, so you want them to be pretty soft when you take them out so they remain soft and chewy when cooled. Enjoy!
I’m linking this recipe up in the Tasty Tuesday link party!
November 29, 2011
Katie
Gosh those look SO good! I have never had those kind of cookies! I would seriously love to visit you, bake, yoga, and have fun!!
Happy Tuesday ! xoxo
November 29, 2011
Anna
That sounds so fun, I will put it out into the universe in the hopes that one day it’ll happen! 😉
November 29, 2011
loftyappetite
yumm i love ginger snaps! definitely getting bookmarked as a must make. thanks for sharing!
November 29, 2011
Anna
Ginger snaps are the best! You could definitely make these thinner and bake them for longer to get them as crunchy and crispy as ginger snaps!
November 29, 2011
Jenny @ Simply Be Me
I have been on the search for the perfect ginger molasses cookie my entire life. None of them crack the way I want them to even though they taste yummy! I will add this recipe to my list of ones to make 🙂
November 29, 2011
Anna
I hope these are it for you! I know what you mean about the cracking; I thought for ages I’d have to do something special to make that happen but they just crack on their own in the oven. I think the key is not to flatten them too much – it’s part of the dough spreading itself out as it cooks that makes it crack ;).
November 29, 2011
Chelsea @ Naturally Sweet Recipes
Love that you used coconut sugar Anna! These look awesome! Can’t wait to try them. 🙂
November 29, 2011
Anna
They’re yum – I made these the first time using all Sucanat, but with coconut sugar melting better and being finer, it just works better – thanks!
November 29, 2011
Suzanne
These look really tasty!
December 1, 2011
Anna
Thanks so much Suzanne – they are! Let me know if you make them :).
November 29, 2011
Tessa @ Amazing Asset
GIngerbread cookies are one of my favorite desserts EVER! These look absolutely perfect and WILL be making them during the holidays 🙂
November 29, 2011
Anna
Thanks Tessa! I hope you enjoy them…soooo Christmassy!
November 29, 2011
Ali
Anna these look amazing! I will be making them this weekend. I am starting to trial all the recipes I can to take to our extended family Christmas this year to show off vegan cooking! The family are a bit sceptical that it can be delicious so I am out to prove them wrong.
November 29, 2011
Char @ www.charskitchen.ca
YES!! I used to loooove the ginger molasses cookies at Starbucks, so I’m stoked to try these!! 😀
November 30, 2011
Anna
I know those cookies are so killer! These ones look even more like the Starbucks ones if you swap the Sucanat out for extra molasses, but that ends up with quite a strong molasses tasting cookie that’s not as sweet, so for most people who are used to sugar I didn’t want to put them off. But you can always try that if you feel like it!
November 30, 2011
Kris | iheartwellness.com
OOO MY GOODNESS!!!! Girl you had me at Better Than Starbies!!! I love the starbucks ginger cookies…swoon!
Ok, coconut sugar is my saving grace, so much better for you! I’ll be making these!!
xxoo
November 30, 2011
Anna
Haha I know – let’s hope I don’t get sued with the Better-than-Starbucks name I keep using on my Starbucks copy recipes ;). I mean more that they’re better FOR YOU than Starbucks. The taste is definitely on par with them too though! Thanks girl xx
November 30, 2011
Pingback: WIAW: Snacks and Soup! – The Guiltless Life
November 30, 2011
Chocolate-Covered Katie
Wow, we were on the same wavelength! Too cool! And you are so sweet to edit your post for me!! (If my blog weren’t vegan, I would definitely have returned the favor. I was so honored!)
November 30, 2011
Anna
Thanks so much Katie! I know, I made these with Earth Balance butter but I just hadn’t tried making them using a flax egg so I didn’t want to put that as a substitution in case it didn’t work out. But thanks so much for dropping by!
November 30, 2011
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
these look crazy good. i am a total sucker for a soft and chewy ginger/molasses cookie. they look awesome!
December 1, 2011
Anna
Thanks Averie, they’re one of my fave cookies at this time of year too :).
December 1, 2011
Shannon (Healthiful Balance)
Yum! Those cookies look soo yummy! 🙂
December 1, 2011
Anna
Thanks Shannon! They are delish – I hope you get a chance to make them :).
December 8, 2011
Pingback: Christmas Cookie Times: Chocolate-Dipped Vanilla Walnut Biscotti – The Guiltless Life
December 13, 2011
Pingback: A Christmas Poem – The Guiltless Life
December 22, 2011
Pingback: Christmas cookie recipe roundup « Lofty Appetite
December 22, 2011
Claire @ Live & Love to Eat
I love this lighter version of those cookies – thank you for sharing!
December 22, 2011
Anna
Thanks Claire!
February 10, 2012
Pingback: Better-than-Starbucks’ Double Chocolate Brownies – The Guiltless Life
November 19, 2012
Pingback: Healthy Holiday Eating – and More Healthy Breakfast Challenge Updates – The Guiltless Life
July 28, 2017
Pingback: Better-than-Starbucks’ Double Chocolate Brownies
July 29, 2017
Pingback: A Christmas Poem
July 29, 2017
Pingback: Christmas Cookie Times: Chocolate-Dipped Vanilla Walnut Biscotti