In a separate bowl, combine the applesauce, 1 cup of the sugar, the vegetable oil, grated lemon zest, lemon juice and lemon extract.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the applesauce-oil mixture into it all at one time. Gently combine the wet and dry ingredients until just blended. Don't over mix. Form the dough into a ball, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Place the 1/4 cup sugar in a pie plate. Add the ground ginger, cardamom and cinnamon and combine.

Lightly coat your hands with flour and form the dough into approximately 36 round balls, 1-1/2 tablespoons each. Roll the balls in the spiced sugar mixture and place 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, or until set and very lightly browned. Cool for 1 minute on the baking sheet, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes about 3 dozen

Recipe Notes ~
If you don't have ground cardamom on hand, substitute ground cloves or omit it completely.

• Ingredients/Cuisine:
• cardamom
• cookies
• crystallized ginger
• ginger