Gingersnap cookies

I've been a silent follower of a blog - The Sophisticated Gourmet. In his recent post, Kamran writes about heart break and baking. He said heartbreak knows no season or the holidays, just whenever it demanded - even baking scones at 6am. Indeed, baking does heals. His words touched me. His story reminded me of difficult moments in my life. When my heart sunk as deep as the ocean floors. The feeling of heaviness, leaving me breathless for days or even months. And in the mist of all the unhappiness, you'll sometimes forget to smile and neglect the people closest to you. A reassuring smile to them, a sign to them that you'll be fine eventually. I remind myself not to forget. In times like this, our mind tends to be clouded, when we choose to see life one way, letting little moments of joy, as little and brief as it is, to slip by. We forget that sometimes a little smile is all you need to feel better; and the people worrying about you too. To remind us that there's always something wonderful on the other side. The faith; that life will turn out well.

It always does.

It will get better one day and with time, the pain will be eventually be bitter sweet memories. Our hearts will mend and we will learn to love harder, stronger than before. Kamran sums it all well, "we’re the ones that control the entire process. That’s what life is, in a nutshell. It’s about taking what we want out of our lives and learning from each and every one of our experiences.". He's right and it's okay to be sad. It's okay to cry. Take as much time as you need. We heal at different rates.

I replied telling Kamran telling him it's okay to bake even to bake at 3am. Whatever time it's called for. Whenever you have the need. I've a little secret too. I baked when I feel life is not quite right or when work got tough. Butter, sugar and flour makes me feel grounded and the joy of putting all these together, beating, whisking, rolling, to make something wonderful is my escapade. As I was writing this, I've just finished rolling the last batch of cookies at 2am. 


The timer rang. The gingersnap cookies emerged out of the oven perfectly browned, filling the kitchen with smell of butter, ginger and cinnamon; the smell of Christmas to remember all the many years of happiness surrounding this festive season and family. I agree, sometimes to bake is all that is needed to take the pain away. Even if it was a fleeting moment of inner peace and stillness.

Who wouldn't smile at the smell and sight of freshly baked Christmas cookies? Bake some cookies, make new friends. Be positive and share the happiness forward.

Other Christmas cookie recipes to put a smile on your face: Gingerbread cookies and Sugar cookies


GINGERSNAP COOKIES
Ingredients
150g of dark brown sugar
100g of granulated sugar
100g of butter, softened
60g of dark molasses
1 whole egg
1/2 teaspoonful vanilla
350g plain flour
2 teaspoonful baking soda
2 teaspoonful ground ginger
2 teaspoonful ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoonful ground cloves
1/4 teaspoonful nutmeg
1 teaspoonful salt
1/4 cup water

Method
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, add in the egg and molasses; beat until mixed. Add sifted ingredients to butter mixture and mix to while adding water. Beat until all the ingredients are incorporated. Roll mixture into 1" balls and flatten to ¼ inch thick disc with your fingers. Place on lined cookie sheet 2" apart. Alternatively, you can also roll the balls in sugar before flattening.

Place on lined cookie sheet 2" apart and bake at 180 degrees celsius for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool slightly before removing from cookie sheet.

Till next post, ss.

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