Molasses Cookie Baskets with Lemon Sorbet and Gingered Fruit

Preparation

1. Step 1

   For cookies: Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter 2 large nonstick cookie sheets. Bring first 5 ingredients to simmer in heavy small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Whisk in vanilla, then flour. Cool cookie mixture 10 minutes.

   Step 2

   Drop mixture by level tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheets, spacing 6-inches apart and forming 3 cookies on each sheet. Using buttered fingertips, press out each round to 4 1/2-inch diameter.

   Step 3

   Bake 1 sheet until cookies are deep brown, about 12 minutes. Cool cookies on sheet just until firm enough to lift without breaking, about 2 minutes. Working quickly, lift 1 cookie from sheet. Drape cookie top side up over inverted 3/4-cup custard dish. Gently flatten cookie on dish bottom; crimp sides to form fluted cup. Repeat with remaining 2 cookies, returning cookie sheet to oven briefly if cookies harden. Repeat baking and molding process with remaining cookies. Cool. Gently remove cookies from dishes.

   Step 4

   For fruit: Stir first 3 ingredients in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil 3 minutes. Refrigerate ginger syrup until cold. (Cookies and syrup can be prepared 1 week ahead. Store cookies at room temperature in airtight container. Keep sauce refrigerated.) Place fruit in bowl. Add half of ginger syrup and toss well.

   Step 5

   Place 1 cookie on each of 6 plates. Fill each with 3 scoops of sorbet and spoon fruit and remaining syrup over.