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brown-butter-molasses-thumbprint-cookies-with-chocolate-ginger-ganache-saltwaterdaughters-01

Brown Butter Molasses Thumbprint Cookies with Ginger Chocolate Ganache

SaltwaterDaughters
This spin on a classic thumbprint cookie is perfect for the holidays!   To freeze, be sure to layer with wax paper in between to prevent the ganache sticking.  Be sure to thaw overnight in the fridge so that the ganache doesn't separate.  
Prep Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 28 cookies

Ingredients
  

To make the cookies

  • 1 cup salted butter
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup molasses
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 2 & 1/4 cups flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda

To make the ganache

  • 1 & 1/2 tsp fresh ginger grated
  • 2/3 cup whipping cream 35%
  • 250 grams 70% dark chocolate finely chopped
  • 1-2 tbsp chopped candied ginger for garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a saucepan, brown the butter on the stovetop over medium heat, swirling the pan to ensure it browns evenly.  Pour into a large bowl (you will be making the cookies in this bowl, so make sure it's big enough).  Refrigerate until the butter is slightly cooled and starts to solidify again, around 1 hour.
  • When the butter is close to room temperature again, beat in the brown sugar until light in colour and fluffy.  Add in the molasses, vanilla, and egg and beat until fully incorporated.   In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda.  Sift the flour mixture over the butter mixture and stir together to form a dough that comes together when pressed.
  • Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls, make an indent with your thumb or a teaspoon, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Chill the dough for an hour in the freezer, or overnight in the fridge.  Bake the cookies at 350F for 8 minutes, rotate the pan and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the bottoms are slightly browned.  Remove from oven.  If the centres have risen, use a teaspoon to press lightly down again.  Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then remove to a cooling rack.
  • To make the ganache, in a small saucepan, grate the ginger into the whipping cream and heat over medium heat until very hot, but not boiling.  Remove from the heat and let steep for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming.  Return to the heat once more, then once hot, strain into a bowl over top of the chocolate.  make sure all chocolate is submerged, then cover with a plate and let sit for 5 minute or so until chocolate is melted, and then stir to combine.   Spoon a teaspoon into the indents of the cooled cookies, and top with chopped candied ginger.  Let cool completely before serving.
Keyword baking, boiled cookies, chocolate, christmas, ganache, ginger, holiday, molasses