Vata-Soothing Ginger Cookies

Vata-Soothing Ginger Cookies

As the weather grows cooler and we enter Vata season in the Northern Hemisphere, it is particular important to keep this primary dosha in balance with warm, grounding foods. These sweet and spicy cookies are flavored with the ginger, cinnamon, and molasses – all Vata-pacifying ingredients. Enjoy them with your favorite herbal tea or other warm beverage.

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Makes 36 cookies

½ cup ghee
1 egg
½ cup molasses
1 cup turbinado sugar (set aside ¼ cup for topping)
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
3 cups whole-wheat pastry flour

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees (F). In a large bowl, combine the ghee with ¾ cup of sugar and mix with a wooden spoon. Add the egg and molasses. In another small bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients, using a wire whisk to sift. Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix well. The dough will be soft. Dust lightly with flour, cover the bowl, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Scoop out 1-oz portions (about 1 heaping tablespoon) and shape into balls. Place an inch apart on an oiled or greased cookie sheet, pressing flat with two fingers. Sprinkle with the ¼ cup of reserved sugar. Bake for about 10 minutes or just until cracks appear on surface. The cookies should be browned on the bottom only. Cool on a wire rack.