Spiced Brown Sugar Cookies

In my cupboard sits a small container of ground cayenne pepper. It sits and waits and hopes that it's sole purpose in life is not to be part of some cleanse diet.

Never fear, cayenne pepper, I promise to give meaning to your existence by incorporating you into as many brownies, cookies, and cakes as I see fit. Lemon juice and maple syrup, that goes for you too.

I've made peace with the tasty trio. We're all friends again. Now let's talk cookies, shall we?

It's autumn. My mind has processed this fact, even though sandals and t-shirts are throwing silent protests. Despite recent evidence to the contrary, this is my favourite season. It's just that the last 2 winters' were excruciatingly long and cold, and I feel as though summer, and especially spring, were treated unfairly. I like balance. If the scales of Mother nature are going to tip in favour of chilly weather, then at least I can bring some harmony to my world via throat-warming spiced cookies.

Not only do these cookies have a hint of cayenne, but thanks to the use of dark brown sugar, they also have a healthy dose of deep-thinking, molasses. To me, molasses is the pensive, silent, poet of the 'syrup' world. It's not as cloyingly sweet as corn syrup, and not as fame-seeking as maple. Molasses is right in the middle. Thick, perfect and offering just a hint of spice.

So if you're ready to give yourself over to fall, but you need a bit of hand-holding, please try these cookies. They're simple, soft, and offer just the right amount of season changing comfort. After eating a few, you'll know that everything will be okay.

Spring will return.

Spiced Brown Sugar Cookies (adapted from Joy the Baker and Epicurious)

ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch of cayenne pepper, or 1 gentle shake (if you're adding it via the sifted top)
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 Tablespoons (that's 1 1/2 sticks or 6 ounces, unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature


method
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking Soda, salt, cayenne pepper, ginger and cinnamon. Set aside.
In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed, until smooth and creamy (about 3-5 minutes). Add the egg and beat well, scrapping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the dry mixture and beat on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to medium and beat for about 1 minute more.
Cover the bowl and chill for about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of dough onto the sheets, leaving about 2-inches of space between each cookie. Bake 8 to 12 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to set. [Note: My cookies were ready right at the 8 minute mark. They were chewy and wonderful. If you want a crispier cookie, increase the time to about 10-12 minutes.] Remove the sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to rest for about 7 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Makes about 2 dozen cookies