Gingerbread Cookies

Nothing says Christmas like soft and chewy gingerbread cookies (and peppermint anything, of course, but that's for another post). I like them anytime of the year, too, but I just can't get into the Christmas spirit without them. This recipe makes a flavorful cookie that bakes up beautifully crinkly.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

2 tablespoons water

1/4 cup molasses

Sift all the dry ingredients together. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, then add the egg, water, and molasses and mix thoroughly. Add the dry ingredients and mix. Scoop the batter into balls and coat in white sugar. Slightly flatten onto the cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes, then cool on the pan 2 minutes before moving to a cooling rack.