The Best Ginger Cookie by Christmas

If you've been following my blog for awhile, then you probably remember the summer madness that was "The Great Chocolate Chip Cookie Quest of 2011." After going through thirteen recipes, dozens of cookies, and hundreds of chocolate chips, I finally discovered the BEST chocolate chip cookies ever. So, it was totally worth it in the end. That said, I wasn't sure if I'd want to go through such an experience again anytime soon.

But, that was then and this is now. Six months have passed and I've regained my cookie mojo. This time, I'm on the search to find the perfect recipe for one of my favorite cookies of all time - the ginger cookie. Somehow, the ones I've tried up till now, while being good, just weren't great. That's gotta change.

Thus begins my new quest - "The Best Ginger Cookie by Christmas (for short, the BGCBC)." That's right, starting tomorrow and every Monday-Thursday thereafter for the next three weeks of December, I will be posting a new ginger cookie recipe and hope to announce the ultimate ginger cookie before Christmas arrives. That should give plenty of time so you can make it for your own holiday platters, if you so desire.

So, the question is, what makes the ultimate ginger cookie? Is it a combo of dry spices only or does fresh ginger add more of a zing? Speaking of spices, just which spices should you use? There's the traditional combo of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves/allspice. But, what about cardamom, nutmeg, or a dash of black/white/cayenne pepper? And would the cookie be better off with some crystallized ginger?

I've been scouring food blogs for weeks and finally compiled a master list of 12 ginger cookie recipes, each one different in some way. By the end of this quest, I hope to have all the answers and be able to choose one recipe and say that THIS IS IT. It's gonna be one sweet and spicy ride and I hope you'll follow along.

Let the cookie madness begin!!!