ST. A TODAY -- FEBRUARY 2017 ST A TODAY -- FEBRUARY 2017 | Page 10

RECIPE AND HISTORY- GINGERSNAPS
DESSERTS AROUND THE WORLD- SCHOKOKUSS

Fabulous Food

RECIPE AND HISTORY- GINGERSNAPS

By Ellie Hillenbrand
The taste of gingersnaps is a particular taste that some enjoy , and some do not . The unusual , satisfying taste of sweet and spicy has captivated watering mouths for centuries . The basic spice combination of the cookie , cinnamon and nutmeg , plus molasses gives it its signature taste . Gingersnaps are popular in many countries , but called other names . The UK , Australia , and New Zealand call them “ ginger nuts ”. Originally , they date back from Sweden , though , where the name is ‘ pepparkor ”. Swedes have many superstitions about the cookie . They insist eating ‘ pepparkor ” makes you a nicer person ! Gastronomes ( foodies ) say that might be true as the spices aid digestion , help fight heart disease , lower glucose in your bloodstream , help headaches , and prevent oral disease . Swedish tradition states that if you tap the cookies center while holding it in your hand , and it breaks into three pieces , your wish will come true !
Gingersnaps are also different shapes in different countries . American cookies resemble dark sugar cookies , but in Scandinavia they are more wafer-like and used for dunking in tea . National Gingersnap Day is July 1 st . My opinion on gingersnaps is high , and my family ’ s tradition is to always eat the tree-shaped cookies when we vacation at Big Cedar Lodge , so the thought of gingersnaps always makes me smile .
Big Cedar Lodge ’ s Famous Gingersnaps ( 7 dozen )
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2 / 3 cup brown sugar 2 / 3 cup molasses 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cardamom ½ teaspoon ground cloves 12 tablespoons butter , cut up 2 eggs 5 ½ cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking powder
1 . Combine brown sugar , molasses , and spices in a saucepan . Heat to a boil over medium-high heat , stirring constantly . Boil 1 minute , then remove . 2 . Place butter in a mixing bowl , add hot sugar mixture and stir until butter melts . Blend in eggs . 3 . Stir 2 cups flour and the baking soda together . Gradually mix in the butter mixture . Add enough flour to make dough stiff ( approximately 3 ½ cups ). Shape into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight .
4 . Place a teaspoon of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets , or roll out and cut into shapes . Bake at 350 ° for about 10 to 12 minutes . Cool and enjoy !
By Amelie Vogt

DESSERTS AROUND THE WORLD- SCHOKOKUSS

Schokokuss , a German dessert , is a chocolate , marshmallowy goodness . In reality though , there is no marshmallow in them , but it tastes similar . Schokokuss contains sweetened egg white foam . Then , the egg white is coated in chocolate . Introduced in 1829 , billions are sold every year . In English they are translated to mean chocolate kisses , so whenever you see a chocolate kiss , think of the German dessert Schokokuss .