Chewy Gingersnaps Christmas Cookies - Guest Post

Today I am very pleased to welcome Bronwyn to the blog.  Over the years she has become a very good friend with constant emails and letters pinging backwards and forwards across the oceans. 

If you don't follow her blog already then your missing out.  She can often be found sharing her amazing travels overseas with her family as well as interesting days out in Canada around their hometown.  As if that wasn't enough there are often crafty treats usually created by her own fair hands with the help of her beautiful daughter and for those foodies with a sweet tooth you can also find some delightful recipes (one of which she is sharing with us today).  But enough from me, I shall hand you over to Bronwyn.   

Hi all!

My name in Bronwyn and I blog over at Queen B Creative Me. I am a married mother of three, kindergarten teacher, crafter, baker, and home-decorator. 

I have known Gem for a few years through our respective blogs and had the benefit of meeting her face-to-face this past March while on vacation in the UK with my daughter.  

We met up at the famous Columbia Road Flower Market (neither of us had been before!)......

.....then enjoyed cake and tea in a pretty little shop of Brick Lane. 

I'm already looking forward to a return trip and another cuppa with you, Gem!

Now onto the recipe I want to share with you all!

This is a favourite in our home and I make them regularly from the first of September all they way until March.  They are a "comfy" cookie  with spices such as ginger, cloves and nutmeg and they seem to pair perfectly with the warmth of autumn and the cosi-ness of Christmas!

Chewy Gingersnaps

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup margarine or butter, softened

1/4 cup molasses (or treacle)

1 egg

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/4 ts nutmeg

1/4 white sugar (for rolling)

(Festive candy for decorating!)

1.  In a large bowl, combine 1 cup sugar, butter, molasses and egg; beat until light and fluffy.

2.  Add in flour, soda, salt and spices; mix well.

3.  Cover ball of dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.

(This is Treacle and Ginger.  They help with the baking this time of year!)

4.  Heat oven to 350 degrees (175 Celcius).  Shape dough into 1-inch (2.5 cm) balls.  Roll these balls in 1/4 sugar until they are light coated. 

5.  Place 12 balls on an un-greased baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.  The cookies will puff up then flatten out while they are baking. 

6.  If you want to add the flourish of Christmas candy on top, stick them into the warm cookies before they cool. 

I hope you give this recipe a try.  They are perfect for taking as a hostess gift this coming holiday season or for the simple enjoyment of family at home. 

Thanks so much, Gem, for inviting me to write for your blog. 

I love popping in to this little part of blogland and I hope to visit again soon!

Best wishes to all.  My this festive holiday season bring you tons of joy, love and celebration!!

XOXOXO

Bronwyn

Queen B Creative Me