OMG I am totally gushing, Merry Christmas everyone! Look see I brought presents, and cake, and cookies and… wait… it isn’t Christmas yet?
Bu… but… I don’t understand… I went into Myer the other day and they had huge Christmas trees up. I saw them! All beautiful, big and dripping with decorations like wet leaves on a dewy morning (yes, Christmas has a tendency to bring out my awesome poetic skills ;)). I mean, HOW CAN YOU SAY IT IS NOT CHRISTMAS. They already had the presents wrapped and sitting under the trees…
Oh… but the candy canes? And the delicious mince pies in every bakery… oh ok I understand. I thought Christmas came early this year…
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Aaah, David Jones, Myer, what are we supposed to do with you! You think you create early holiday cheer with those decorations and freshly wrapped presents? I think you just lessen the building excitement for the holiday year by allowing toddlers think Santa is way ahead of his schedule!
I can remember back in the good ol’ days when I had not reached double digits that you, and major shopping complexes in general did not start decorating till November. When it was a little bit normal 😛
First, the wreaths and gorgeous, thick holly decorations would go up on the ceilings of the stores. Merchandise would start coming out, but in small spurts, so that every time a starry-eyed kid like me visited your store, there would always be a new decoration or tree or train set up I could occupy my time with while mummy shopped.
Then close to and in early December, the big guns came out. Thick, lush trees decorated, angels hanging from the main quarters of the department store, Santas jiggling grinning babies on their laps and elves casually walking around with iPods in their ears! It was pure magic even in the Australian heat, where the thought of leggings had you sweating! Those huge electronic stores would have TVs showing old Christmas movies and reruns and the atmosphere was simply vibrating with the desire for the holidays to come sooner!
Then Christmas would come in a sudden flurry of activity, with fresh turkeys available, all the fixings for an incredible Christmas feast (which while I have not had, I know many who did), last minute shopping from the ‘Santas’ finally off work! Christmas Eve would pass as would the day in laziness, family and friends and then the giant Boxing Day sales would arrive.
These days, where I am quite a well acquainted double digit, the major department stores already are set up like it is Christmas Eve. Giant boxes of cookies, candy and Christmas goodies are up and running, and not only that, but they are on sale! Before even November has come…
While we can thank our lucky stars that the shopping complex I go to hasn’t decorated its ceilings yet, I can only wonder how much time they have left yet October has just begun..
Does anyone wish for the old days again where Christmas came when it was supposed to? *Sigh*
Today I played their game and made some cookies which epitomise the season of Christmas. They are spicy, filled with that sexy ginger flavour mingling with allspice. Soft, chewy and with a very delicious aftertaste, you will be hardpressed to stop at one 😉
Gingernuts (Also known as Ginger Snaps or Ginger Biscuits) – Eggless
Source: Mastering The Art Of Baking
Makes: 35 (I made much larger cookies)
Ingredients:
- 300g plain flour
- 1/2 tsp bi-carb soda
- 1 tbs ground ginger – I could not find it so used 1 tbs finely grated ginger
- 1 tsp allspice – I used 2 1/2 for a more pronounced flavour
- 220g light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 125g unsalted butter, chilled, chopped
- 1/4 cup boiling water
- 1 tbs golden syrup – I used 2 by mistake but it worked better for me
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C and line two large baking trays with non-stick baking paper
- Sift the flour, baking soda and allspice into a large bowl.
- Stir in the sugar and ginger.
- Add the butter and rub in using your fingertips until the mixture is fine and crumbly
- Combine the boiling water and golden syrup and stir well.
- Add to the flour mixture and use a flat-bladed knife (I used a spatula) to mix into a soft dough – Warning, dough tastes ridiculously delicious!
- Roll 2 tsp of mixture into a ball (you may need to slightly knead the mixture in your palm first to form a ball) and place on a lined tray. Repeat with the remaining mixture, leaving 5cm between each ball to allow for spreading
- Use the base of the glass to flatten them slightly
- Bake for 15 minutes, swapping the trays (turning them around) halfway through cooking (not necessary if fan forced oven) or until golden and cooked through
- Leave on the trays for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely 😀
I seem to be all ready to leave these out with some milk for dear Santa because he should be coming any day right? 😉
Pingback: Final Post 2012 « Go Bake Yourself
They look amazing! Roll on Christmas!
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What lovely cookies, I feel like I can smell them already; sweet, spicy ginger and the warmth of Christmas that can never come too early. I am counting down to the day all the festive baking starts!
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I love the holidays too! Right now we are surrounded by cornstalks, pumpkins and everything fall – happiness! Those cookies look pretty brillant too :0
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I am so excited for Christmas cookies! These look just wonderful!
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I absolutely agree with you that the holidays are too rushed. I like your idea of bringing out a few seasonal displays at a time, working our way up to the big shopping days. And, I don’t want my Christmas mixed with Halloween and Thanksgiving which it will be here in the U.S., CCU. Yummy cookies, especially with grated ginger and extra allspice.
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You are too cute!
The cookies look so delicious and perfect with a cup of tea!
Golden syrup is the same as light maple syrup, maybe?
🙂
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Thank you so much my friend 😀
And golden syrup is equivalent to light corn syrup, though maple could be substituted 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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You know I am all for “eggless”! Wonderful timing too, as my daughter just asked last week if we could do our own version of gingerbread folks this holiday season. Thanks and Happy Holidays…a few months early 🙂
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Oh those cookies look so good… I can just imagine the gorgeous smell filling the house when it bakes:)
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Christmas has already started appearing in stores here, too, + i don’t like it one bit! I need it to be at least mid-november before I even start thinking about christmas! these cookies, however, i could think about all year ’round. YUM!
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Yes, I have seen the Christmas things out too! But it’s never too early to bake cookies with delicious ginger!
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Christmas! It’s coming so soon can you believe it’s only like 40 days left before it’s Christmas and it’s everywhere in stall and stuff LOL these cookies look perfect for Xmas definitely gonna try them out 😀
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Uru, they used to be known as “holidays,” but now they’re known as “marketing opportunities…” (Ugh.) Saw my first Christmas display this weekend (!) — I agree with you, there’s more excitement and anticipation when they at least wait until after Halloween (Thanksgiving is even better) to break out the jingle bells. Loved hearing about your Christmas memories… Happy “Premature” Holiday to you, too! (And thanks for the sexy, spicy cookie recipe!)
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These holiday cookies look awesome!
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OMG!! I love holiday cookies. And the ginger used in this recipe!
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Love me some of your ginger cookies!
I’m not a big fan of Christmas showing up in the stores so early. When we were kids, my Dad would not put the tree up until the week of Christmas. We were so anxious and hated having to wait but the anticipation of it all was the most fun.
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Christmas always comes way too early! I’ve just done my fall planters outside.. who wants to start over so soon?! But for these cookies.. I would!!
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I have to agree with you, xmas things on sale in october? It´s ridiculous. I think the fresh ginger made these cookies taste better!
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Fortunately we don’t get too much Christmas in the stores before Halloween. I’m not ready to think about it yet!
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Oh yes, X’mas seems to come early this year! I was surprised when beauty brands like SK-II is already out with their festive gifts. Lol! These bakes are just gorgeous, my dear! Always enjoy a bite into your cookies!
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Hahah happy pre-Xmas! I can’t believe it’s just around the corner again :(:( These look great!
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wow christmas came in so early! in my country, i think we have to wait for another month before the deco is up
Latest: Mookata: Smell your BBQ Flavour
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OMG I want some cookies right now!!!!!!!
kisses
Elena
http://dcinstyle.com/blog/
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Not a fan of Christmas before Christmas. It confuses me…like it’s some other time ‘they’ are in.
Ginger cookies with tea! Yumm..
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Heyyyy Uru! Your food looks amazing as always. 🙂
I moved Sugar Dish Me to wordpress.org but my wp.com subscribers didn’t come with me. If you’d take a minute to re-subscribe either by email or rss feed? Or I’m still on facebook… http://www.sugardishme.com/
Thank you!!!!!
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Done and done 😀 Congrats on the move!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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You’re a doll. Thank you!
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I can’t believe tha Christmas decorations are already out! And I loooove ginger anything, I might try baking these next!
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Merry Christmas CCU! Lol, just kidding, but yes, stores here are definitely gearing up. We have a lot of Halloween things and Thanksgiving things out already…I think they are just waiting for Halloween to pass and then Christmas items will be up.
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such a classic and delicious cookie!
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Ohh cookies and Christmas..two of the BEST things in life!
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Yum, yum, yum! 🙂
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I love that you grated in fresh ginger AND your nails rock…you go gf!!!
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P.S.
I love your nail design!!! 😉
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Ugh, I was just saying that to my mom! I started my Halloween decorating yesterday, and my mom came home and told me that the stores were getting their Christmas decorations out already. I was like, but I didn’t even finish putting up for Halloween. I hate it when stores do that to you, its like you have no time to enjoy the holidays…it’s all about who can spend the most amount of money and get the best gift. Plus, they totally skip over Thanksgiving, my fav holiday….anyway, these cookies look amazing! Gingersnap cookies are so wintery and fun…I could happily eat these through to the holidays!
Have a fab weekend Uru!
xoxo,
Tammy<3
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Halloween is not huge in Australia but still, it deserves some appreciation no? 😉
And yes definitely thanksgiving for you as well! I guess all we can do is eat cookies and wonder 😉
Hope you have a great week!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Oh I know how you feel!! Yesterday I walked into World Market and they were setting up for Halloween in one aisle and Christmas in the next aisle. Somewhat of an oxymoron if do say so. 🙂 Your cookies look delicious! I love cookies with ginger! Have a great weekend!
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Hahah, I know! I walk in to Costco in AUGUST, when everyone is sweating in the heat, and we see CHRISTMAS stuff on sale. IN AUGUST. Shenanigans I tell you!
These cookies look delicious. If I were Santa, I would head straight to your house for these cookies 😉
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Love ginger and chewyness together – looks awesome and should be eaten regularly throughout the year!
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It’s crazy how early they do the decorations isn’t it! Meanwhile, if Santa had these cookies, he’d come down the chimney early 😛
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I’ve been looking for a fabulous gingersnap recipe! And it’s NEVER too early to start celebrating Christmas! 😀
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I do agree that Christmas has become too commercial! Love how crumbly these cookies are… the taste of ginger is very addictive indeed!
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The stores here also have you thinking that Christmas is next week with the way they’re set up for it! I think gingery cookies can be enjoyed year-round though!
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I know what you mean by early christmast,some peoples already shoping for christmast too,,LoL,,btw the cookies looks beautifuly done,actually using fresh ginger is the best for me,,Yum !!
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When I lived in the states as a young person, Christmas season started the last Friday in November – the day after Thanksgiving. That Friday is still the biggest shopping day of the year. Now we find Christmas things in August and September. It’s totally crap if you ask me. Maybe we need to invent a new holiday just so we don’t live with Christmas for 4 months. 🙂 Preferably one that includes presents and these cookies.
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Haha I agree – a new foodie holiday should do just the trick 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Totally agree! Christmas comes far too early and seems to come earlier every year. Far too commercial, which is a shame. The cookies look delish!
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I totally know what you mean! There’s Christmas decorations for sale at many shops already and it’s only just Oct….but I guess this way people can enjoy the festivity for a little longer, although at a slightly lesser impact.
Love the looks of those cookies! 😀
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Oh I absolutely love ginger snaps in winter and they are perfectly a holiday cookie.
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Hey Uru, I LOVES me my Christmas! I put up my decorations in mid-November and take them down after the new year, just so I can prolong that special, wintry Christmas-y feeling. Then I fall into a deep dark depression when it’s all over…but what better way to dig myself up than to bake cookies? Specifically these thick, chewy-looking, perfect ginger cookies – yum!
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It seems a way too early for Christmas decorations to be in stores! Have a great weekend 🙂
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Tonight I started on Christmas, but I make my gifts… I’ve already seen the stuff in stores here too, and think it’s WAY too early. Eventually the shoppers will revolt… Right? Please tell me they will.
Delicious looking cookies. Ginger is my favorite winter flavour 🙂
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Can’t believe they have Christmas stuff up at DJs and MYER. It IS ridiculous! That said, this reminds me that I’d better start planning for Christmas shopping. I know it’s early but I’d rather get it out of the way well before the shopping centres start getting hectic in the few days leading up to Christmas!
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I wonder why I’m craving ginger cookies and humming Jingle Bells?
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I also love Christmas…but not the commercialization of such a beautiful holiday! Your cookies are fantastic!
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Love the cookies. They look like I could eat a dozen all by myself. Love Christmas, I wish we could celebrate it every day.
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I love Christmas! And your blog just put me the mood! I love the ginger cookies! They looks so good!
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Yum. Ginger snaps! They look fantastic. Yep, Christmas decorations have hit the stores here already too. The really creepy thing though is when they whip all the Christmas stuff down on Boxing Day and replace it with easter eggs.
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Omg yes, that is very… weird 😉
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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I can’t think of Christmas till I break out my winter coats…and I don’t plan on doing that anytime soon. I made ginger cookies every holiday…and love that you used fresh ginger…so yummy!
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It could be Christmas everyday, with those cookies.
But since you mention it, I went to the supermarket yesterday (here in Portugal) and I hadn’t give it much thought until now, but I saw “bolo rei” (typically sold at Christmas)!
Oh, well…
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Ginger cookies might just be my very favorite kind and these look fantastic!! I love that you grated fresh ginger in the cookies. With that much ginger, the flavor must pack a fabulous punch!! Love them!
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Don’t want to see Christmas yet, we haven’t even gotten to Halloween. Your cookies look fantastic. I wouldn’t mind a few of them right about now!
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I have a friend who works in Kohls and early September (September!) she was telling me about all the cute cupcake ornaments she was decorating the Christmas trees with. *Sigh*
But if it gets me these fantabulous cookies early, who am I to complain?
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Haha I guess cookies are a lifeline in the insanity 😉
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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I do miss having holidays at the ‘right’ time. Christmas seems to be the one pushed earliest but as soon as they take the Christmas decorations down, they’re stocking the shelves with Valentine’s candy, then Easter… I really wonder if the decorations actually make people buy earlier which of course they hope will make you buy more. I just can’t seem to shop early myself but cookies make me happy any time at all!
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Those are some damn good lookin’ cookies, Uru.
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Ah yes, the holidays come earlier and earlier every year don’t they? Pretty soon we’ll be celebrating Christmas year round! These cookies are a perfect holiday treat though! I’ve never had gingersnaps without molasses, and would love to try these!
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Every year they start the Christmas ads and stock the stores earlier and earlier! I saw Christmas decor at one mall 3 weeks ago!! I love your cookies – but when it comes to cookies..no matter what time of year..Christmas cookies or not..I’ll eat ’em!! 🙂 Glad to see you back, pretty lady!
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Thankfully we’ve got Halloween decorations in our stores but no Christmas ones. It does seem to come earlier and earlier though! I never thought I liked ginger cookies until recently I made gingersnaps that were the sauce and changed my mind. Yours are very soft and big–exactly how I like my cookies! FaBuLoUs!
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I cannot imagine a Christmas during summer season, but I agree we need gingerbread biscuits!!
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I can get on board with early Christmas if it means ginger cookies mmmm.
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That’s insaniiittyy! Slow your roll with the decorations people!
I have a friend from Australia and she says to her Christmas isn’t Christmas if you’re not barbecuing on the beach. Lol
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Haha isn’t that the truth 😀
Cheers
CCU
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Over here the supermarkets are PACKED with X’mas baking stuff. Too early for me.
But I am ready any time for cookies! Yum!
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I hate seeing Christmas trees and decorations this early. It’s so commercialized now in order to make more $$$. I’ve barely gotten used to the fact that it’s fall here 😉
Lovely cookies and that ginger – yum!
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I totally and completely wish for those good old Christmas-used-to-be-special days! Why o’ why did the retailers and marketers take away all of the joy and fun. Harumph!! Now, pass the cookies….
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I know I’m ready for Christmas!
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I agree. It’s not even Halloween yet, and looks like Christmas is all set to take over. Yummmm cookies. And interesting….fresh ginger cookies….
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Your cookies look wonderful and I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed your post today. I think merchants are reaching the point where they’ll be celebrating Christmas in July. Kinda sad. I hope you have a great weekend. Blessings…Mary
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Yeah, that early Christmas thing bums me too. It used to be my favorite holiday, and I certainly still enjoy it. But it’s so anticlimactic by the time it arrives. My fav holiday has become the US Thanksgiving. No fills – it’s mainly about eating and being glad you have it to eat. No cards or gifts required (just a healthy appetite). And it almost gets overlooked in all the pre-Christmas hubbub. Exactly what I like! Anyway, cool cookies. I love ginger, and I don’t think I’ve ever had gingersnaps made with fresh ginger – it’d be cool to try sometime.
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Beautiful cookies CCU!
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For us, Christmas can wait because we are getting geared up for Diwali next month. I am going to make this cookie for Diwali and thanks for sharing. At least by looking through your recipe and step by step sharing, I already have one cookie ready in mind.
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I don’t know why stores and even radio stations do it…I dislike the early intrusion of Christmas cheer before we even hit December. I listen to a radio station here that plays nonstop Christmas music starting the day after Thanksgiving. One year they started 2 weeks before Thanksgiving.. people did not like that. Don’t dilute my Christmas cheer by 3 months of celebrating I still want to enjoy Halloween and Thanksgiving. Do you celebrate those in Australia?
I love the flavors in your cookies… I think they can pass for fall cookies (although you are in spring). I have never spent a Christmas where it was hot and sunny (maybe the first four years of life in Sri Lankan). Since I came to the State, most of our Christmas days are cold and dreary…. not even snow for the proverbial “White Christmas”. Do you celebrate with “snow themed” ornaments in Australia or is it with Santa surfing? Okay… now I’m asking too many questions. Have a wonderful weekend my friend. ~ Ramona
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Oh wow and especially considering you are already in a holiday must be even more frustrating!
Haha these cookies definitely are more Autumn style! Um we have both – definitely spoofs of Santa surfing but when we decorate the tree, totally traditional 😀
And I love your qs!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Ginger snaps are such a classic. Good job! I love Christmas too and always have! 🙂
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What lovely presentation—from the looks of it, it {almost} looks worth it to have come up with this!!!
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You had me at sexy ginger!!! (Well actually, before that, but I just like that phrase lol.) Your cookies look so perfectly uniform and crackly! I’ll have to make these when I want to impress someone.
Also, is your nail polish some kind of fancy textured deal? I like it!
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Thanks for liking both the cookies and the nails 😀
My nails are actually using OPI crack so you put a base and then once it is dry, apply the crack layer and voila 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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I love ginger. It’s really healthy and good for your stomach. I may make these cookies as an excuse. As always, your recipes make me hungry.
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Yay! This is my mom’s favorite cookie so I will make her some from your recipe!
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The “good old days”, huh?
Cute post.
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Oh heavens!! Uru, those look utterly delicious!!! I haven’t had breakfast yet and sure wish I could jump through the screen and eat those! 🙂
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I’ve never made a cookie using that much fresh ginger. I’m thrilled to know you like them. They sound interesting. Did the large piece of ginger dissolve? I need to try these.
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Definitely only if you LOVE ginger try large pieces, but mine were grated very fine to give a subtle flavour 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Christmas festivities come to the stores earlier and earlier each year CCU! Personally I think it is a money making affair. Sad but true.
Your cookies look divine! I do love the smell of Christmas though.
🙂 Mandy
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