Not every sweet ending needs a slice and a fork. A plate of gingersnaps leaves room for another cup of coffee and a conversation that runs beyond brunch. PJ Hamel’s version for King Arthur Baking brings together molasses, ginger, cinnamon and cloves, finished with a cinnamon-sugar coating.
Texture is the detail to decide before you start. The recipe uses vegetable shortening; King Arthur notes that substituting butter makes the cookies softer. That distinction is useful when choosing between a crisp cookie for the tin and something with more give.
Keep the serving simple: a few cookies on a small plate, with coffee or tea poured separately. Their scale makes them easy to add to a table already carrying a larger dessert. There is no need to turn every bake into the centerpiece.
Recipe creator: PJ Hamel, King Arthur Baking — full gingersnaps recipe. If you would rather bake something to slice, our molasses gingerbread cake feature offers another direction.