Kickboxing Update; Healthier Gingerbread Cookie
OK, yesterday was my first kickboxing class! I am going to do a full on post about it Monday BUT I just wanted to give you all a mini update since there are so many readers that are all excited about this for me & possibly for them. Sneak preview before Monday..... OUCH BUT AWESOME OUCH! Uncomfortable is good again! I loved it! More about it coming Monday! OH, I think I might end up with bruises on my shins so if they come out, I will take a pic for you!
Now, because it is so close to the holidays, I want to share this healthier version of a gingerbread cookie from Lori at Finding Radiance. Look at that pic... does that not look heavenly & I am all over that. I almost ate thru the monitor when I saw that pic. You all know how I love my cookies & they are my treat every weekend! Well, I can make a flavor I really love all year round! The scary part is not eating them all at once! Recipe below or click on the link.
Low-Fat Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup AP flour
- 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup whey protein powder*
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup unsulfured molasses
- 1-1/4 cups crystallized ginger chopped really fine (6 ounces – use less if you’re scared!)
- Granulated sugar, for rolling the cookies
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
In a large bowl, sift together the flours, protein powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. * (If you don’t use protein powder, replace it with an equal amount of all-purpose flour, and use 2 egg whites in place of the water later in the recipe. Also use egg whites if you use brown rice protein instead of whey.)
In an electric mixer, beat the brown sugar, applesauce, and molasses on medium speed for 5 minutes.
Turn the mixer to low and add the water, and beat for 1 minute. Scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula and beat for 1 more minute. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the bowl and mix on medium speed for 2 more minutes. Add the crystallized ginger and mix until combined. The mixture will be wet.
Scoop up the dough with 2 spoons . Roll each piece of dough into a 1 3/4-inch ball and then flatten lightly with your fingers. Roll both sides of each dough ball in granulated sugar and place them on the cookie sheets. Leave lots of room because they spread out a lot while baking.
Bake for 13 minutes. The cookies will be crackled on the top and soft inside. Cool the cookies for 1 to 2 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Store in a covered container in a single layer or between parchment sheets, as they are so moist they will stick together.
Oh, I saw that on her blog yesterday. I have got to make those!
I have wanted to try a kickboxing class for a while. I just found out that my local YMCA has a class for families so I might have to give it a try.
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Kelly, thx for visiting! I say go for those YMCA classes. I am really liking this class & just punching things!
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Gingerbread cookies are my favorite!!! My sister makes these every year but will be with her in-laws out of state. I may have to keep the tradition going with and try this healthier version!! Thanks!!
Man, kickboxing does kick your butt! But its a great workout - haven't taken a class in ages tho!
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Amanda, get back into one of those kickboxing classes but be prepared for sore shins!
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Looking forward to the weekend columns, Jody! They make shin protectors that you can wear while kick boxing. There is no reason that you need bruises! Even
football forearm pads will work.
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Dr. J, lots to write about Monday but I loved it! You & FJ can fight it out over whether I should wear shin protectors. BUT, being that I only have a 30 day membership while I evaluate the club & I can't afford to join, I may not be able to keep this up anyway.
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Sush Dr.J, Shin guards should only be worn during sparring session to prevent shin-shin contact, during heavy bag training? NUH UH!
I've been doing kickboxing and heavy bag work for years... and Jody, it's good to hear your shins hurt and not the instep, it means you were kicking and striking PROPERLY.
Shins have a lot of nerve endings and you need to condition them over and over so that in time they feel less pain... and this will let you bang out some devastating kicks.
Also, faster and harder kicking leads to bigger calorie burns.
Pain is a teacher, it lets you know what you were doing wrong and right.
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FJ, as I told Dr. J, you two can fight out the shin guards or not for me BUT since I don't have $$ to join the club after my trial membership is up & after I review the club, it may not matter anyway.
I did get good marks for my first time at this. They said I did good! I hope they meant it!
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The cookie looks great. I am going to try it and bring them to our friends at Christmas. Congrats on the kickboxing class! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
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Kat, let me know how the cookies turn out! They look so good!!!!!
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How much do I love ginger cookies?!? Thank you for this recipe! And I love that it uses crystallized ginger instead of the powder... mmm
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Charlotte, enjoy! I am such a bad baker so I am not sure mine will look like that!
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Those cookies to look amazing! Great job on the kickboxing class. I'm in awe of all you are capable of Jody.
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Diane, thank you! We are all in awe of you & all you have done and with 7 kids too!!!! I would not have had this experience without you! THANK YOU!
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Definitely drool-worthy pictures. Fortunately for me, I'm not a fan of gingerbread, so I shall escape the power of the picture!
Have a most marvelous weekend, Jody!
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Cammy, lucky you! That pic pulls me in every time I look at it!
Have a great one!
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