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Oma's Ginger Snap Cookies  (Gewürz-Plätzchen)

This easy ginger snap cookies recipe, aka Gewürz-Plätzchen, has been a family favorite for years. It's one I made with my kids when there were young. 

It's like a molasses cookie recipe but more gingery. And, if you like ginger, then you really also need to make these German gingerbread cookies.

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (143.3 g) shortening
• 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar
• 1 egg
• ¾ cup (255 g) molasses
• 3 cups (390 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp (3 g) salt
• 2 tsp (12 g) baking soda
• ½ tsp (1 g) ground cloves
• 1 tsp (3 g) ground ginger
• 1 tsp (3 g) ground cinnamon
• about ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the shortening until creamy.
3. Add the brown sugar, egg, and molasses, and beat until well mixed.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, salt, baking soda, ground cloves, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon. Add it to the sugar mixture and blend together.
5. Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for about an hour.
6. Shape the dough into balls, about 1-inch in diameter, and roll them in the granulated sugar.
7. Place the balls 2 inches apart on un-greased cookie sheets (or line them with parchment paper).
8. Flatten the balls with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar (to keep the dough from sticking).
9. Bake for about 10 to 11 minutes, until golden.

Notes/Hints:

• Use a glass with a "crystal cut-glass base" to make a pretty design on the top of the cookies.
• For more gingery cookies, try these German gingerbread ones.

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Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

Recipe updated on May 8, 2025