Indulgent Spiced Cookies with Chocolate Center

This is a great recipe to enjoy on a cold winter day in front of the fire with a warm blanket and your favourite book.

Ingredients

• 1 cup FTC and organic black strap molasses
• 1 cup FTC and organic Demerara sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter1 Tbsp baking soda in some water
• 1 egg slightly beaten
• 1 tsp. FTC vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp. FTC and organic ground ginger
• 1 tsp. FTC and organic ground cloves
• 1 tsp. FTC and organic ground cardamom
• ½ tsp. FTC and organic ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp. FTC and organic ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 ¾ cups unbleached flour
• 1 FTC and organic 55 % dark chocolate bar

FTC : Fair Trade Certified

Preparation

Bring molasses to a boil, add sugar and remove from heat. The Demerara sugar adds a wonderful texture to the cookies. Add butter and baking soda.

When cool, add egg and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients and add to wet ingredients. Refrigerate until chilled.

To assemble: Take 2 tablespoons of mixture and form small cup in palm of hand. Add 1 square of chocolate in the center and cover to enclose chocolate and form a ball.

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Place cookies on parchment paper one inch apart and press down slightly.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Serve warm with thick and creamy hot chocolate made with half and half cream, chopped dark chocolate and infused with cardamom seeds. No need to sweeten.

Top with whipped cream and cinnamon stick. Sit back, relax and wait for the snow!

Yields 24 large cookies

Created by Nadine Singh, Chef, Recipe Developer, Aspiring Food Stylist.  
Photography by Shirley Fairley, www.shirleyfairley.com.