Nut and Spice Cookie Recipes - Spice Squares

 

Ingredients 

• 1 1/4 cups/180 g all-purpose/plain flour

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp ground cloves

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/8 tsp salt

• 4 tbsp butter, cut up

• 1/4 cup/50 g firmly packed dark brown sugar

• 2 tbsp dark molasses/treacle

• Grated zest of 1 lemon

• 1/4 cup/50 g granulated sugar

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Method:

1. Sift the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl. Mix the butter, brown sugar, and molasses in a medium saucepan over low heat.

2. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved completely. Remove from the heat and mix in the dry ingredients and lemon zest to form a stiff dough.

3. Divide the dough in half. Press the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

4. Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C/gas 4. Butter two cookie sheets. Roll half the dough out on a lightly floured surface to 10-inch (25-cm) square. Cut into 2-inch (5-cm) squares.

5. Use a spatula to transfer the cookies to the prepared cookie sheets, placing them 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Prick all over with a fork.

6. Repeat with the remaining dough. Sprinkle with the granulated sugar. Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until lightly browned. Transfer to racks and let cool completely.