Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray, for greasing
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch ground cloves
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 tablespoon reduced-fat milk
• 1 large egg, separated
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped crystalized ginger

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F; line three baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly coat with cooking spray. Sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, salt, baking soda and cloves in a small bowl and set aside.
2. Combine the brown sugar, butter, molasses, milk and egg yolk in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the flour mixture and mix on low, increasing the speed gradually to medium high, until a ball of dough forms, about 3 minutes.
3. Lightly coat two pieces of parchment paper with cooking spray. Sandwich the dough between the two pieces (sprayed side touching the dough). Roll out until about 1/16-inch thick. Freeze so the dough gets really firm, about 30 minutes. Cut out with 2-inch cookie cutters and transfer to the prepared baking sheets. Whisk the egg white in a small bowl, brush onto the tops of the cookies and sprinkle with the crystallized ginger. Re-roll and cut out the scraps if desired.
4. Bake until golden, rotating the sheets about halfway through, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool a few minutes on the sheets, and then transfer to a rack to cool.