Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar + 2 tbsp for dusting

• 1 egg

• 2 tbsp molasses

• 1 1/3 cup all purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp salt

• 2 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp cinnamon  

• 1 tbsp orange zest

• For the oranges

  • 1/2 orange; rind removed and cubed

  • 1/4 cup sugar

  • 2 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. To candy the oranges, stir together all of the ingredients together in a saucepan on medium heat. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the water is evaporated and the sugar has become a sticky substance coating the chunks.

3. Remove the oranges from the pan and place onto a plate lined with parchment paper. Let cool while you start on the cookie dough.

4. Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, salt, and orange zest.

5. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar at medium speed for about 3 minutes. Add the egg and molasses and beat until fluffy, for about 5 minutes.

6. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until a dough forms. Fold the orange chunks into the dough until they are evenly dispersed.

7. Roll the dough into 12 even sized balls. Pour the 2 tbsp of granulated sugar into a bowl. Roll each ball of dough in the sugar to evenly coat before placing the 2 inches apart on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cookies are crackly and no longer appear doughy.

9. Let the cookies cool on a cooling rack for at least 30 minutes before serving.