Oatmeal Chocolate Ginger Cookies

One of the candies we make for Easter are called ginger nut clusters.  The candied ginger in them can have a kick.  So when I first saw these oatmeal cookies with the candied ginger, I was intrigued.

I made them last weekend.  Even though they have more than a half cup of candied ginger, the cookies are very mellow.  Not at all like the candies.  It's the oatmeal?  Maybe the baking?  Did they need more chocolate?  Not what I expected.  I wasn't sure if I'd keep the recipe when I brought the cookies to a party.  And snap!  just like that they disappeared.

I've taste-tested a few more and decided to keep the recipe.  They're wonderfully chewy, have a nice flavor.  Not the hit I had anticipated, but they're interesting.  A few things:  I used Ghirardelli chocolate chips which are big; I should have chopped them a bit so they were more evenly distributed in the cookies.  And I don't care, I'm adding more than ⅓ cup of chocolate next time, too!  Some of the candied ginger clumped together; I'll have to make sure they're broken apart.  Lastly, the original recipe had several different options for baking the cookies.  I will definitely chill them first, because I like fatter cookies.

This is how I made them, but be sure to check out the original post.

Ginger Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
(adapted from Joy the Baker)

½ cup butter, softened
⅔ cup lightly packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup flour
heaping ½ tsp baking soda
heaping ½ tsp cinnamon
scant ½ tsp salt
¼ tsp grated nutmeg
1½ cups oats
⅓ - ½ cup chocolate chips
heaping ½ cup coarsely chopped candied ginger

Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the egg and beat for 1 minute, until well incorporated.

In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg.  Add the dry ingredients all at once to the butter mixture and beat until just incorporated.  Use a spatula to stir the oats, chocolate and ginger until thoroughly combined.

Scoop onto a baking sheet.  Place racks in the center and upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350F.  Bake cookies for 12 - 14 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.  Place on a wire rack to cool.