Introduction
Molasses cookies are a classic treat that brings warmth, comfort, and nostalgia in every bite. With their deep, rich flavor from molasses, warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, and their perfectly chewy texture, these cookies embody everything we love about home-baked goods. They are soft in the center, slightly crisp at the edges, and coated with a delicate sugar crust that sparkles and adds just the right amount of sweetness.
What makes molasses cookies so special is their timeless appeal. They have roots in old-fashioned baking traditions, where molasses was a staple sweetener in many households. These cookies are often associated with cozy winter evenings, holiday baking, and family gatherings, but their comforting flavor makes them delicious all year round. Paired with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or milk, molasses cookies are a simple yet unforgettable indulgence.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s a wonderful balance of comfort and sophistication. The earthy sweetness of molasses blends beautifully with the warmth of spices, creating a cookie that feels indulgent without being overly sugary. Each bite reminds me of the holiday season, yet they’re just as satisfying on a quiet afternoon in spring or summer.
Another reason I adore these cookies is their texture—soft, tender, and chewy on the inside, with a lightly crisp sugar-coated outside. It’s the perfect balance of bite and melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
Lastly, this recipe is one of my favorites because of its simplicity and versatility. With just a few pantry staples, you can whip up a batch of cookies that tastes like they came from a bakery. They are easy to freeze, store, and share, making them a go-to for holiday cookie exchanges, gift baskets, or everyday treats.
Why It’s a Must-Try Dish
Molasses cookies are a must-try because they are:
- Full of flavor – rich, spiced, and aromatic.
- Perfectly textured – chewy, soft, and slightly crisp on the edges.
- Nostalgic – they bring back memories of holiday kitchens and family traditions.
- Crowd-pleasing – loved by both kids and adults.
- Versatile – great on their own, dipped in milk, or as part of a dessert spread.
If you’ve never made molasses cookies before, you’re in for a real treat—they’re an old-fashioned favorite that deserves a permanent place in every baker’s recipe box.
Recipe Details
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Chilling Time (optional, for best results): 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies (about 12–14 servings)
- Calories: ~140 calories per cookie
- Course: Dessert / Snack
- Cuisine: American (classic old-fashioned baking)
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup molasses (unsulfured, not blackstrap)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Cooking Directions
Step-by-Step Preparation Method
- Prepare the dry ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add wet ingredients
- Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine dry and wet
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Do not overmix.
- Chill the dough (optional but recommended)
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This makes the dough easier to handle and helps the cookies bake thicker.
- Preheat the oven
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Form the cookies
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll them into balls, and coat each ball in granulated sugar. Place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the cookies are set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center.
- Cool
- Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve This Recipe
- Enjoy them warm with a glass of milk or cup of coffee.
- Pair them with vanilla ice cream for a cozy dessert.
- Pack them in festive tins for holiday gifts.
- Serve alongside other cookies at a holiday cookie swap.
Recipe Tips
- For extra chewy cookies, slightly underbake them.
- Don’t skip rolling the dough in sugar—it adds crunch and sparkle.
- Use unsulfured molasses for the best flavor (blackstrap molasses is too bitter).
- Chill the dough for thicker cookies that won’t spread too much.
Variations
- Molasses Crinkle Cookies: Press lightly with a fork before baking to create a crackled top.
- Spiced-Up Version: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for more complexity.
- Molasses Chocolate Chip Cookies: Fold in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Molasses Sandwich Cookies: Spread cream cheese frosting between two cookies for a decadent treat.
Freezing and Storage
- Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing Dough: Shape dough into balls, roll in sugar, and freeze on a tray. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen (add 1–2 minutes to baking time).
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Freeze baked and cooled cookies in layers separated by parchment paper for up to 3 months.
Special Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer (hand or stand)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Cooling rack
Conclusion
Molasses cookies are a timeless treat that combines rich, spiced flavors with a soft, chewy texture everyone loves. Whether you’re baking them for the holidays, sharing with friends, or simply indulging at home, they bring warmth and comfort with every bite. Simple to make yet incredibly rewarding, these cookies prove that old-fashioned recipes never go out of style. Bake a batch, pour yourself a warm drink, and savor the cozy goodness of molasses cookies—you’ll see why they remain a classic for generations.
Molasses Cookies
Description
Molasses cookies are a classic treat that brings warmth, comfort, and nostalgia in every bite. With their deep, rich flavor from molasses, warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, and their perfectly chewy texture, these cookies embody everything we love about home-baked goods.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Set aside.
-
Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
-
Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until well combined.
-
Combine dry and wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Do not overmix. Chill the dough (optional but recommended) Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This makes the dough easier to handle and helps the cookies bake thicker.
-
Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
-
Form the cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll them into balls, and coat each ball in granulated sugar. Place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
-
Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the cookies are set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center.
-
Cool: Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
