Thursday, October 8, 2015

Kelly's Giant Gingerbread Cookies and October's Give-Away Apron

Today is a sad day for me; it's Kelly's birthday and she would have been 43 years old.  In case you're new to the blog, our daughter was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2009 and passed away on May 14, 2010 (another very hard day for me.)

However, I do have great memories and one of them we shared is our love of these Giant Gingerbread cookies.  In fact, I think Kelly was known more for my recipe than I was!  She was always baking them for friends' birthdays and special occasions.  It's no wonder she loved these spice cookies--she always asked for Pumpkin Pie for her birthday too.

Kelly's Giant Gingerbread Cookies
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup molasses
1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
2 3/4 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup candied ginger chips

Sparkling Sugar to roll the cookies in

Preheat oven to 350F-degrees.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter, then add the sugars.  Cream until fluffy, scraping down the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula.  Add the molasses and egg and beat on low to combine, scraping down the sides again.

Add the dry ingredients and ginger chips and mix on low speed until just combined.  Remove from the stand and bring the dough together with the rubber spatula.

Use a #20 scoop to measure out the cookies and roll in the sparkling sugar.  Place on the parchment lined baking sheets.  Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes.
The cookies spread slightly, so give them room on the baking sheet.  The tops should be cracked and dry.  Transfer to a baking rack to cool completely.  Enjoy!


This month's apron, with orange and green colors, would have pleased Kelly.  She said to me, after her diagnosis and everyone sent her pink presents, "Mom, I really do hate the color of Pink!"  So, we have orange roses!
If you'd like to win this apron, just comment on any of the posts this month and it could be yours.  Thank you all for being my support system over these last five years;  it's meant a lot to be able to share my thoughts,  

32 comments:

  1. Sending you tons of love and ladybug hugs today and always!! πŸ’•πŸžπŸ’•

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  2. I am going to make these cookies in honor of Kelly's birthday.
    They are perfect.
    Sending hugs..
    Tracy.P

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  3. Kelly's cookies look wonderful, dear Susan. Thinking of you on this day. XOXO ♥

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    1. Thank you Martha Ellen. They are delicious!

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  4. This must be a hard and bittersweet day! Sending you many hugs.

    Linda

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    1. Thank you, dear friend. Friends help me through this bumps in the road. XOXO

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  5. I am so very sorry that you lost your Kelly. The cookies look wonderful and I know they are really yummy. Thanks so much for sharing our recipe. I am going to call them Kelly's cookies.
    I love the apron that I won and everyone compliments me when I wear it.
    Sending lots of hugs your way.
    Mary

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    1. I've met so many people through the "apron" and cherish you all, XOXO

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  6. Darling Susan....I am thinking of you on this day. I sending warm hugs. I love that you share your love and memories through baking something your sweet daughter would love. As always, beautiful creations!

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    1. Thank you, dear friend. She certainly loved making them for her friends, as I do for mine, XOXO

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  7. I totally understand because October is a sad time for me, too. know I'm thinking of you, my friend. and another thing you know about me I'm all about lemon, ginger or just about anything besides chocolate so this recipe is one of my favorites.
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  8. So beautiful how you honor this day with Kelly's favorite cookies. They do look and sound delicious. I will try them one day soon. Love to you...

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  9. Oh Susan, this post is so poignant and lovely. It brings tears to my eyes to think Kelly died so young in life. That precious little boy looking at her just broke my heart. You, as the Grandma, must have cried a million tears by now. Oh, I'm sure she is in a better place, putting in a good word for all of you, until you meet again.

    The cookies look great and when I try them, I'll make them in Kelly's honor. Thank you for sharing that special recipe and your beautiful daughter. Hugs. Susan

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    1. Thank you Susan. This was the last photo of her taken before she entered the hospital for the last time. I love the way Ari is adoring her...taking in every detail of her face. XOXO

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  10. These look wonderful! I am making the same cookies this weekend...Wow, it always amazes me that this happens with us. I'm thinking Kelly definitely has something to do with that, too! Be good to yourself and enjoy the happy memories, my friend. Lv, me

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    1. Irish Twins!!! Happy Baking my friend, XOXO

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  11. I can't imagine how hard it was for you and your family, Susan. Ellen was right, let's enjoy the happy memories and have some Kelly's favourite holiday cookies.

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    1. That's the way I have to think about it too! I do have some really great, cherished memories, XOXO

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  12. Thinking of you Susan ..... I am baking these cookies this afternoon and as Mary above will be calling them Kelly's Kookies.
    BTW I use the apron I won eons ago all the time. It hangs in my kitchen as a gentle reminder of you. Thank you :-)

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    1. Thank you. It's been hard keeping up two blogs and designing new dies, but I hope I've found my rhythm. Kelly keeps pushing me:-D

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  13. I always think of you and Kelly when October rolls around. I turn 43 this month and Kelly's story makes me thankful for every year I am lucky enough to celebrate. I would love to send something your way, but I don't have your new address. Could you send it my way? Thank you for reminding me to be thankful. By the way one of my favorite memories is making gingersnaps for my dad. He loves them.

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    1. I tried to find your email, but didn't have it. Email me and I will give you my new address. You're the same age as Kelly would be--that makes me smile:-D

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  14. I am going to make these and think of your daughter and you, Susan! We love gingerbread,and my younger daughter always has pumpkin pie for her birthday too! : Sending you a BIG HUG! <3

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  15. Sorry I am so behind on blogging. I will never forget Kelly's story. It must be incredibly difficult for you to deal with these anniversaries. I love that these cookies are a way for you to stay connected to her. Hugs to you. xoxo

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