As I’ve mentioned before, my mother was a terrific baker. Pies, cakes, cookies, whoopie pies—she could make them all, and my, they were tasty. But gingersnaps were one of her specialties, and they were eagerly sought by family and friends.
So eagerly, in fact, that the gingersnaps didn’t always make it to their intended destination. Not long ago, my mom’s friend Esther—who is also my friend—told me of the time my mom dropped off a batch of gingersnaps at Esther’s house. The cookies were to go to a function that both Mom and Esther had been invited to, but for some reason, Mom couldn’t attend. However, Esther could go, and when Mom dropped off the cookies, she told Esther, “Feel free to have a cookie or two.”
Esther gladly did as she was told. But one cookie led to another, and Esther ate so many of the gingersnaps that there weren’t enough to bring to the function.
“What did you do?” I asked Esther.
“I had to make my own gingersnaps to add to hers,” Esther replied.
And who can blame Esther for indulging? These cookies are irresistible, spicy with a wonderful snap. As a bonus, if the gingersnaps are stored in a tin, they keep very well, for a week or so.
I have already made several batches of gingersnaps to give as presents, and I will be making more before the holiday season is over. I have used Mom’s original recipe, blotched and in her own handwriting. Somehow, it brings a little of her into my kitchen as I cook.
As Christmas approaches, may your kitchen smell like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
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Notes From the Hinterland 
So easy too! Yum yum!
Thank you for sharing this recipe! Are you on Pinterest? Your photos would love it there!
Here I sit with gingersnap in hand and a cup of tea waiting for 207. I nearly forgot how delicious they are. Yes, I’ll have another. no one can eat just one you know.
A good story. How true it is that using that tattered recipe in your mom’s handwriting will bring her into your kitchen — I feel the same way when I use my mom’s mixing bowls or the old wooden cooking fork she used to make so many meals.
So tell me, are these thin and crispy, or medium thick and chewy? I ask because they look like a cookie my mom made and called molasses crinkles and I am always interested in how recipes morph through our families and communities.
Might be time to bake some cookies….
Ali, they are medium thick and crispy, but not hard as a rock. They have a very satisfying snap, but you don’t have to worry about your teeth.