Holiday Baking

Big soft ginger cookies

INGREDIENTS
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup margarine, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoons white sugar
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.


Banana Bread!

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.


Quick and Easy Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe

12 oz. semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
1/2 C. butter
1/4 C. sugar
1/4 C. strong freshly brewed coffee
2 T. liqueur
3 eggs

Heat oven to 425°F. Butter 8-inch springform pan. Sprinkle additional sugar to coat sides and bottom of pan.
In medium glass bowl, combine chocolate, butter, 1/4 cup sugar, coffee and liqueur (such as Chambord, Amaretto or Kahlua). Microwave on high 1-2 minutes or until chocolate and butter are melted and smooth when stirred.
Whisk in eggs until smooth and well blended. Turn mixture into prepared pan. Bake 10-15 minutes. Cake will not completely set in middle. Sides should pull away slightly from pan. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold.
Makes 10-12 servings.