Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies

These cookies are the reason this cookbook jumped out at me and said "Buy Me!!".  I couldn't resist.  I was intrigued.  I have made many cookies out of Martha's Cookie Book, and this one I couldn't wait to try.  Unfortunately, I screwed up the recipe and added WAY to many chocolate chunks.  Okay double the chocolate chunks the recipe called for.  Not sure why, the bag just seemed to dump out all on it's own.  I guess I was thinking how could too much chocolate hurt the recipe?  But I was wrong.  I could hardly even taste the gingerbread.  Now, if I had added just the right amount of chocolate, I know that this would be a cookie that you would never forget. They are chewy, sweet, and very distinct in flavor.  So different than what you expect.  I absolutely love gingerbread cookies, and I love chocolate, so I guess that is why this cookie intrigued me so much.  Why not put the two together? Very good, but don't mess with the recipe!

Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies

adapted from Martha Stewart's Cookies Cookbook

1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (I used ground nutmeg)

1 tablespoon unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 tablespoon freshly grated peeled ginger

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/2 cup unsulfered molasses

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons boiling water

7 ounces best quality semi sweet chocolate, cut into 1/4 inch chunks 

1/4 cup sugar

1. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a bowl, sift together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and cocoa.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and fresh ginger on medium speed until lightened, about minutes.  Add brown sugar, beat until combined.  Add molasses; beat until combined.

3. In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in boiling water.  Beat half of flour mixture into butter mixture.  Beat in baking soda mixture, then remaining half of flour mixture.  Mix in chocolate; turn onto plastic wrap.  Pat out to a 1 inch thickness; seal with wrap.  Refrigerate until firm, 2 hours or overnight.

4. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls; place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.  Chill 20 minutes.  Roll in granulated sugar.  Bake until surfaces just begin to crack, 10-12 minutes, rotating halfway through.  Let cool 5 minutes.  Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.  Cookies are best the day they are made, but can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature up to 5 days.