Piece image

Mother Ginger and Her Children: Ginger Pennies

Series: Nutcracker Sweets
From: WQXR
Length: 00:05:09

My first Christmas present and my first cookbook as a new bride was, at my request, The Joy of Cooking. It was from that book that I made my first cake (spice cake), my first bread (white bread), and my first pie (angel pie). Each was a great success; the book was everything its title promised. To this day, my favorite cookie recipe from Joy is for ginger thins, which inspired this recipe. These lovable little wafers are truly pennies from heaven: incredibly delicate, crispy, gingery, and addictive. Don't be tempted to make them too large as they will lose their unique daintiness. Read the full description.

Gingerpennies_medium_image_small

INGREDIENTS MEASURE
(volume)
WEIGHT
(ounces)
WEIGHT
(grams)
bleached all-purpose flour 1-1/2 cups (dip and sweep method) 7.5 ounces 215 grams
ground ginger 3/4 teaspoon * *
ground cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon * *
ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon * *
baking soda 1/2 teaspoon * *
salt 1/4 teaspoon * *
light brown sugar 1 cup (firmly packed) 7.75 ounces 217 grams
1 large egg 3 tablespoons 1.75 ounces 50 grams
unsulfured molasses
(preferably Grandma's)
1/4 liquid cup
(use a greased liquid measuring cup)
2.75 ounces 80 grams
unsalted butter 12 tablespoons 6 ounces 170 grams

Equipment: nonstick, lightly buttered, or greased cookie sheets; reclosable gallon-size freezer bag.

Place 2 over racks in the upper and lower thirs of the over. Preheat over to 325 degrees Farenheit.

Food Processor Method

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt, then whisk together to mix evenly.

In a food processor with the metal blade, process the brown sugar, egg, and molasses. Cut the butter into a few pieces and add it with the motor running. Process until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Pulse in the floud mixture until well blended.

Electric Mixer Method

Soften the butter. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt, then whisk together to mix evenly. In a mixing bowl, cream together the brown sugar, egg, molasses, and butter. On low speed, beat in the flour mixture until well blended.

For Both Methods

Scrape the mixture into the freezer bag, close it securely, and cut off a small piece of the corner of the bag. Pipe small dots, about one-eighth teaspoon in size (1/2-inch mounds), about 1 inch apart. Ignore the small peaks that form; they will melt and flatten as the bookies bake.

Bake for about 5 minutes or until browned. For even baking, rotate the cookie sheets from top to bottom and front to back halfway through the baking period.

Cool the cookies on the sheets for about 3 minutes, then slide them off onto wire racks to cool and crisp. Keep them separate as they are cooling or they will stick to one another.

Store: In an airtight container at room temperature at low humidity.

Keeps: Several months at low humidity.

  • This practical recipe yields loads of cookies quickly and easily with ingredients most everyone has in the cupboard.
  • When first removed from the over, these cookies are very flexible. Cool them slightly on the cookie sheet to ensure a flat, even shape.
  • Allow the cookie sheet(s) to cool completely before using for the next batch.
  • Distribute the cookies evenly around the cookie sheet. Avoid crowding the cookies into one section of the cookie sheet, leaving a large area bare.

To hear the full audio, sign up for a free PRX account or log in.

More from WQXR

Piece image

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy: Tiny Fruitcake Gems (00:04:49)
From: WQXR

In America, fruitcake is so closely associated with Christmas that it almost becomes a necessary part of the celebration, even for those who don't like it! Here is a moist, ...
Piece image

Dance of the Miriltons (Reed Pipes): Chocolate-Pistachio Marzipan Spirals (00:04:52)
From: WQXR

Lora Brody, friend and author of Cooking with Memories, developed these spirals from two recipes in The Cake Bible: pistachio marzipan and ganache. It was my fondest hope ...
Piece image

Russian Dance: Traditional Rolled Christmas Sugar Cookies (00:04:17)
From: WQXR

These sugar cookies can be as simple or as decorative as your fancy dictates. The dough is ideal for rolling and cutting into special shapes. Now is the time to get out your ...
Piece image

Spanish and Arabian Dances (Chocolate and Coffee): Mocha Cocoa Brownies (00:08:00)
From: WQXR

There are many wonderful recipes for this American classic, and the truth is, chocolate doesn't ever get better than in the form of a brownie. Everyone has a favorite brownie ...
Piece image

Nashville Symphony (02:59:34)
From: WQXR

Spring for Music showcases some of North America’s most exciting orchestras at Carnegie Hall. In Program 6, the Nashville Symphony closes the series with Charles Ives’ ...
Piece image

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (02:59:34)
From: WQXR

Spring for Music showcases some of North America’s most exciting orchestras at Carnegie Hall. In Program 5, music director Edo de Waart conducts the Milwaukee Symphony in a ...
Piece image

Alabama Symphony Orchestra (02:59:04)
From: WQXR

Spring for Music showcases some of North America’s most exciting orchestras at Carnegie Hall. In Program 4, the Alabama Symphony juxtaposes the current with the canonic in ...
Piece image

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (02:59:04)
From: WQXR

Spring for Music showcases some of North America’s most exciting orchestras at Carnegie Hall. In Program 3, the New Jersey Symphony performs work from the 20th century. ...
Piece image

Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (02:59:04)
From: WQXR

Spring for Music showcases some of North America’s most exciting orchestras at Carnegie Hall. In Program 2, the Edmonton Symphony and its music director, William Eddins, ...
Piece image

Houston Symphony (02:59:04)
From: WQXR

Spring for Music showcases some of North America’s most exciting orchestras at Carnegie Hall. In Program 1, the Houston Symphony performs an all-Shostakovich program ...

Piece Description

INGREDIENTS MEASURE
(volume)
WEIGHT
(ounces)
WEIGHT
(grams)
bleached all-purpose flour 1-1/2 cups (dip and sweep method) 7.5 ounces 215 grams
ground ginger 3/4 teaspoon * *
ground cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon * *
ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon * *
baking soda 1/2 teaspoon * *
salt 1/4 teaspoon * *
light brown sugar 1 cup (firmly packed) 7.75 ounces 217 grams
1 large egg 3 tablespoons 1.75 ounces 50 grams
unsulfured molasses
(preferably Grandma's)
1/4 liquid cup
(use a greased liquid measuring cup)
2.75 ounces 80 grams
unsalted butter 12 tablespoons 6 ounces 170 grams

Equipment: nonstick, lightly buttered, or greased cookie sheets; reclosable gallon-size freezer bag.

Place 2 over racks in the upper and lower thirs of the over. Preheat over to 325 degrees Farenheit.

Food Processor Method

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt, then whisk together to mix evenly.

In a food processor with the metal blade, process the brown sugar, egg, and molasses. Cut the butter into a few pieces and add it with the motor running. Process until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Pulse in the floud mixture until well blended.

Electric Mixer Method

Soften the butter. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt, then whisk together to mix evenly. In a mixing bowl, cream together the brown sugar, egg, molasses, and butter. On low speed, beat in the flour mixture until well blended.

For Both Methods

Scrape the mixture into the freezer bag, close it securely, and cut off a small piece of the corner of the bag. Pipe small dots, about one-eighth teaspoon in size (1/2-inch mounds), about 1 inch apart. Ignore the small peaks that form; they will melt and flatten as the bookies bake.

Bake for about 5 minutes or until browned. For even baking, rotate the cookie sheets from top to bottom and front to back halfway through the baking period.

Cool the cookies on the sheets for about 3 minutes, then slide them off onto wire racks to cool and crisp. Keep them separate as they are cooling or they will stick to one another.

Store: In an airtight container at room temperature at low humidity.

Keeps: Several months at low humidity.

  • This practical recipe yields loads of cookies quickly and easily with ingredients most everyone has in the cupboard.
  • When first removed from the over, these cookies are very flexible. Cool them slightly on the cookie sheet to ensure a flat, even shape.
  • Allow the cookie sheet(s) to cool completely before using for the next batch.
  • Distribute the cookies evenly around the cookie sheet. Avoid crowding the cookies into one section of the cookie sheet, leaving a large area bare.

Musical Works

Title Artist Album Label Year Length
Mother Ginger and Her Children Mariinsky Theater Orchestra, Valery Gergiev The Nutcracker. Philips 462114 00:00