In the realm of culinary delights, few treats evoke the nostalgic warmth and comforting flavors quite like ginger snap cookies. Yet, these beloved cookies can easily ascend to new heights of health and flavor by incorporating not just ginger but also olive oil into their recipe, as both ingredients are rich in polyphenols.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Ginger, with its knobby appearance and zesty flavor, has been cherished for centuries for its medicinal properties and culinary versatility. This ancient spice hails from the lush landscapes of Asia, where it has long been revered for its potent health benefits. Rich in bioactive compounds, ginger boasts impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a valuable addition to any diet.
Enter olive oil, the liquid gold of the Mediterranean, renowned for its heart-healthy properties and sumptuous flavor profile. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, which have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and improved cholesterol levels. But what truly sets olive oil apart is its abundance of polyphenols, plant-based compounds with powerful antioxidant properties.
High-phenolic olive oil
High-phenolic olive oil in particular, boasts elevated levels of these beneficial polyphenols, thanks to careful cultivation and extraction methods. These polyphenols not only help protect the delicate olive fruit from oxidative damage but also offer a host of health benefits to those who consume them. From combating inflammation to supporting brain health and promoting longevity, the polyphenols in olive oil are a true gift from nature.
Beloved ginger snap cookies
And now we arrive at the union of ginger and high-phenolic olive oil's potency in a single delectable treat: ginger snap cookies. The spicy warmth of ginger melds seamlessly with the fruity notes of olive oil, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate with each scrumptious bite.
Recipe video: baking ginger snap cookies made with high-phenolic olive oil from PJ Kabos.
Olive oil instead of butter
By swapping out traditional butter for high-phenolic olive oil in ginger snap cookies, you not only enhance their flavor but also boost their health benefits. The antioxidant-rich olive oil complements the polyphenols found in ginger, creating a synergistic effect that amplifies their collective impact on your well-being. These cookies offer far more than just a sweet indulgence.
So, the next time you find yourself craving a wholesome treat, whip up a batch of ginger snap cookies made with today’s PJ Kabos recipe. Savor the taste of two superfoods united in sweet harmony.
Superfood Duo Recipe: Ginger Snap Cookies made with Olive Oil from PJ Kabos
Desert/healthy snack
Serving—2 dozen depending on the size of the cookie
PJ KABOS Extra Virgin Olive Oil used: Family Reserve High Phenolic—Medium (white tin)
Ingredients
- 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour*
- 2 teaspoons ginger, ground
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
- ¼ teaspoon cloves, ground
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper, ground, black
- ½ cup brown sugar (loose grains, i.e. not pressed down)
- 1 cup PJ KABOS Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ to ½ cup molasses (personal preference in sweetness determines the amount)
- ¼ cup sugar, to roll cookies in (optional)
How to Prepare
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
Dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients: flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and pepper (not the brown sugar).
Wet ingredients: In a large bowl, using either a large wooden spoon or an electric mixer, beat together PJ KABOS Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the brown sugar. Mix well. Add the egg. Mix well. Add the molasses. Mix well.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix together. Do not over mix.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using a spoon, scoop out a small amount of dough, (the size depends on personal preference – when slightly flattened about the size of an American quarter makes a nice cookie. When it expands in cooking it becomes a perfect half-dollar size) and place on the cookie sheet making sure to leave room between cookies for them to expand. When the cookie sheet has been filled, flatten slightly with your hand or a spoon. Then, using a fork, score each cookie, alternating the direction so the cookies are left with a patchwork impression. (Alternatively, as shown in the video, you may roll the cookies in sugar and flatten with a spoon.)
Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, depending on your oven, altitude, etc. Remove from the oven. If the bottoms of the cookies aren’t too brown, leave them on the cookie sheet outside of the oven for a few more minutes. If they are getting too brown, remove immediately. Cool and serve. These cookies become crunchier as time passes. They are delicious and nutritious always!
Refrigerate the dough between batches.
Left over dough may be frozen. Just wrap tightly with cling film and when ready to use, defrost before making the cookies.
*Note: 1 cup whole-wheat, all-purpose flour and 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour may be used instead of 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour.
Serving suggestion: Serve with fresh milk, coffee or tea.
Kali Orexi—Happy Eating!
High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil from PJ Kabos
PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic—Robust (Black Bottle)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve Organic - Robust, is an extra virgin olive oil that is very high in polyphenols and adds depth, character and great health benefits to every meal.
Buy now either through our website or on Amazon.
PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic—Medium Taste (White Bottle)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve Organic - Medium, is an extra virgin olive oil that is high in polyphenols and adds a lovely taste and great health benefits to every meal.
Buy now either through our website or on Amazon.
PJ Kabos Family Reserve—Medium Taste (White Tin)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve - Medium, is an extra virgin olive oil in an easy-to-store tin that is high in polyphenols and adds a lovely taste and great health benefits to every meal.
Buy now either through our website or on Amazon.
Please enjoy having a look around our websites, pjkabos.com and oliveoil.com, as well as our Amazon Store for more about our many high-phenolic olive oils, recipes, history, etc. And follow along with us on Instagram for photos concerning olive oil production, our groves in Greece, articles about olive oil, family history and more.
PJ Kabos High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Your Trusted Oil, Straight from Our Table to Yours.
