Magnificent Molasses Ginger Cookies

Ingredients

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• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks)
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup candied ginger* chopped into bits.
• 2 tablespoons raw sugar for rolling (white sugar works too)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then mix in the water and molasses.
4. Gradually mix the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Stir in the candied ginger.
5. Chill dough for 15 minutes to make it easier to handle.
6. Shape dough into 1 inch sized balls, and roll them in the raw sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto a parchment or silpat-lined cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.
7. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

The cookies are so so yummy and chewy,

Recipe credit: The Baker Chick

4th & 5th of July 2014

To kick of SJ's birthday weekend, I started with cake.

I was trying a new recipe, and a new amazingly found bakery style frosting recipe to go with it.

Homemade Vanilla Bean Sprinkle Cake.

4th of July 

We just hung around the house, and I made a potato salad for my aunt's bbq later that day

We headed over to my Aunt's house and ate some really good food ...And Miss Sassy got a little bit spoiled. She scored some more Frozen stuff..she was so excited.

complete with a yummy cake
complete with Frozen candles!

trick sparkler candles.

She was cracking up

this guy...

he was so good.

we even found out that he loves looking at himself (a little vein) ... in my iphone.

I got a few hysterical pics of him

We arrived home & put the little guy to bed. 

And Daddy and Samantha walked to our corner for a beautiful view of the fireworks from the country club by our house. 

When she was fast asleep, I did my usual ritual of surprise birthday balloons outside her door.

I was a little sad. 

I mean, 5 years ago... already?

5 years ago I was laying in the Naval Hospital in North Carolina waiting for our little possible 4th of July baby? I just cannot beleive it. Time is flying.. And my baby girl is growing up into a beautiful young lady. I am so so proud to be her Mama.

The next day, it was time for the finishing touches on her birthday cake.

I topped it off with her little Anna & Elsa dolls of course.

the cake wasnt perfect, but it wasnt supposed to be.

Sam was elated. It was a successful trial run cake for her little friend/family party next weekend.

The true test of the cake was how did it taste?

I had yet to find a cake from scratch recipe that didnt taste dry and stale.

This cake was awesome

So so moist and yummy, and you need only a sliver, it was so rich.

When you love to bake and cook, and finally find an amazing frosting recipe AND cake recipe, you get a little excited.. Im a nerd.. I know. I dont care.

We gave Samantha so many gifts already, But I think this was her favorite.

Meet Carl

He's a very sweet addition to our family and he has adjusted quite well.

Thank goodness.. because we tried 2 dogs now, and that didnt go so well :)

Annual Ohio Summer Trip

A few weeks back... yes I have been a blog slacker.

Its the lazy summer days we've been enjoying!

Ohio bound we were for the last weekend in June.

Samantha graduated UPK (Universal Pre-K) - a program that is so wonderful, I cant wait for Andrew to experience it. It is an amazing preporatory program for the big K next year, and free in our district.

They were sleeping beauties for a little while, which was nice. 

We were celebrating Sam's 5th birthday as we always do in Ohio.

So naturally, Daddy spoiled Andrew too.. and surprised him with a new lawnmower or "boo" as he calls it. He's obsessed with a few things at his 2.5 year stage .. one of the top things are his "boos".. Yes he has more than one.

My mother in law is an amazing cook.

I've learned so much about baking and cooking from her.

She always makes sure she's well stocked with goodies for us. This time we were greeted by warm cheddar scones when we arrived.... ahhhh heavenly.

And she makes sure to have plenty of Andrew's food group on hand. 

Bacon.

This trip with A was a hard one. 

He slept terribly, which means so did I. But it was a record of terrible. Im talking up multiple times 

EVERY

NIGHT

I have no idea why. 

It was super hot when we were there, and the air was on, but I was exhausted.

Saturday we headed to the cousins house to celebrate 

Sam & Julia's 5th

These girls have so much fun every time we get together.

Add caption

We had a nice bbq and cupcakes for the girls

Frozen cupcakes, complete with Frozen ring cupcake toppers

Andrew tried out some big boy undies this weekend ..

He just looks so hysterical wearing them

And Im sure its nice to take a break from wearing a diaper all the time.

She sure scored pretty awesome gifts for her 1st party.

I think in total we will be celebrating 4 times ... yes 4... numbers 2-4 to come soon.

Big guy scored some new construction vehicles, and a firehouse with firetruck.

Usually when Andrew is napping, I scoot to some of my favorite stores & malls.. 

I was too damn tired.. so you know it was true exhaustion.

I read some magazines, and made some to do lists and meal plans and nearly fell asleep in the sun

And just like that we were on our way home.

It was a quick visit...and in order to keep the peace, he had to hold his lawnmower in his lap for the last 45 minutes of the journey. Until next time Ohio!