Sweets of Christmas - Giant Ginger Cookies

These cookies are always a crowd pleaser. I don't know many that don't LOVE these cookies. They aren't too sweet, have that wonderful spice of the holidays and go great with a cup of hot chocolate after skiing all day!

Giant Ginger Cookies

4 1/2 c. all purpose flour
4 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 c. shortening
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. molasses
3/4 c. coarse sugar

1. Whisk flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt together in a separate bowl.
2. In a large bowl beat shortening until soft. Gradually add sugar; beat until fluffy.
3. Add eggs and molasses; beat well.
4. Add 1/2 the dry ingredients; beat until combined. Stir remaining dry ingredients in with a wooden spoon.
5. Roll dough into 1/4 cup balls, dip in coarse sugar and place on an ungreased cookies sheet.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes until light brown and puffed.

Sometimes it is hard to find coarse sugar around. I like using the coarse sugar because it makes your cookies look special and more like something you'd buy at a bakery but it's not absolutely necessary. There's a great website where you can find all your cookie decorating needs: The Baker's Kitchen. Here's a link to their white coarse sugar: http://www.thebakerskitchen.net/whitecoarsesugar.aspx. Check out their other products as well!