These delicious Molasses Cookies are a popular holiday treat that can be enjoyed all year round. The warm, comforting sweet flavors of these cookies combined with a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy center make them so irresistible regardless of the season. There’s no reason not to try this quick old-fashioned recipe as it’s guaranteed to leave a sweet smile on everyone’s face!
The holiday season is a time for family traditions, and baking Molasses cookies is certainly one of them. Molasses is a by-product of sugarcane and provides the cookies with their characteristic deep flavor. The soft, chewy texture of these cookies comes from the combination of molasses and brown sugar. Combine that with fall spices and you have a warm, comforting treat the whole family can enjoy. These cookies are classic Christmas treats, and they’re the perfect accompaniment to a warm cup of milk, tea, hot chocolate, or apple cider.
Why You'll Love this Molasses Cookies
- Quick and easy. A little bit of effort for a lot of reward! With only a handful of basic ingredients like butter, sugar, molasses, and spices, these soft cookies are simple to make. The dough can be prepped in a few minutes, and all you have to do is roll them into balls and bake them in your preheated oven in just 10 minutes! No chilling required!
- Flavorful and comforting. The spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg give these cookies an incredibly rich flavor that is both sweet and spicy at the same time. And even though molasses is not the sweetest ingredient, it adds a nice caramel-like flavor that makes them so comforting.
- Versatile. Whether you’re making these cookies for the holidays or just as a special treat, you can always make them your own. Simply fashion the dough into balls for classic drop cookies, or form it into festive shapes like a gingerbread man or a Christmas tree for a holiday-inspired twist.
- Great as a gift. These molasses cookies are so fragrant and flavorful that they make the perfect homemade gift for any occasion. You can package them in a nice tin, jar, or box and give them to your friends and family as an edible token of your love.
Ingredient Notes
To make these chewy Molasses Cookies, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- all-purpose flour - this works best for cookies, but you can partially replace this with cake or bread flour for a chewier texture.
- baking soda - use three teaspoons of baking powder for every teaspoon of baking soda if you don't have one at hand.
- ginger - gives a sweet, peppery flavor and aroma. You can use freshly grated ones for a refreshing flavor.
- cinnamon - provides a sweet and slightly sour flavor.
- nutmeg - gives a subtly sweet flavor with spicy and nutty notes.
- cloves - combines well with other fall spices and has a unique aroma. You can use freshly ground ones for a fuller flavor.
- salt - balances the overall sweetness of the cookies.
- butter - softened to room temperature. Use unsalted for better control of flavor.
- granulated sugar - I prefer using white granulated sugar to balance the flavor of molasses with a clean, sweet taste.
- brown sugar - you can use light or dark brown sugar. You can also make brown sugar by mixing a cup of granulated sugar with a teaspoon of molasses.
- egg - warmed to room temperature.
- molasses - light molasses has a mild flavor and is the best choice for baking cookies
- vanilla extract - adds a distinct flavor and aroma.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, baking pan, mixing bowls, hand mixer or stand mixer, cookie scoop, and wire cooling rack.
How to Make the Best Molasses Cookies
- Combine dry ingredients. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugars using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add wet ingredients. Add the egg and beat until incorporated. Then add molasses and vanilla and beat on low until combined.
- Mix everything. Gradually add in the dry ingredients and beat until just combined.
- Roll and coat. Transfer coarse sugar into a small bowl. Then, use a cookie scoop to scoop out 1-2 tablespoons of cookie dough at a time, and roll it into a 1-inch ball. Roll the cookie ball into the bowl of sugar to fully coat it.
- Prepare for baking. Line a half-sheet baking pan with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Place on the lined baking tray, spaced 2-3 inches apart. You will have to bake in multiple batches or freeze some uncoated cookie balls to bake later.
- Bake. Bake in a 350 F preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until the edges are set. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet. Then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool down completely. If the cookies have a dome to them and are not very crinkled, tap the cookie sheet a few times on the counter. Then, transfer to the cooling rack to cool down completely.
Recipe Variations
- Add chocolate chips. Enjoy a scrumptious treat by adding chocolate chips to your molasses cookies. Spiced molasses with sweet chocolate provides a wonderful balance of flavors that’s deliciously comforting.
- Mix in some nuts. Throw in some chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds in the dough for a chewy cookie with a nutty crunch. Fold them in at the end.
- Fill with cream cheese. Surprise everyone by adding a cream cheese filling to your cookies. Put the cream cheese in when rolling the dough into balls for a contrast of creamy and warm flavors.
- Brighten up with zest. Add a few teaspoons of grated lemon peel to your cookies. A fusion of zest with fall spices and molasses creates a rich depth of flavor with a citrusy twist.
How to Serve
Enjoy these delicious Molasses Cookies as a snack with your favorite cup of tea or coffee such as Chai Tea Latte, Slow Cooker Apple Cider, or White Hot Chocolate, or serve as an after-dinner treat, or include it as part of a Holiday Cookie Box along with some of these classic Christmas cookies:
- Italian Christmas Cookies (Ricotta Cookies)
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Christmas Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
- Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites
- Pinwheel Cookies
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
For more cookie recipes, see our 30 Best Christmas Cookies.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Sift dry ingredients. Flour, sugar, and spices are sometimes lumpy, making it harder to blend with liquid ingredients. Sift your dry ingredients to break up the clumps for even flavor distribution and smoother consistency.
- Don’t overmix. Mix the dough just enough to combine the ingredients. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so watch the mixing time and speed closely.
- Adjust spices. Adding more ginger or cinnamon makes your cookies a little spicier. I find the balance of spices in this recipe enough, but you can always adjust these according to your taste.
- Underbake slightly.Taking the cookies out of the oven when they are slightly undone will give a chewy, gooey texture with crispy edges. Don’t worry, they’ll continue to bake while cooling down!
- Chill before baking. For thicker cookies, chill the cookie balls for at least 30 minutes before baking.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week at room temperature. Keep them in a dry, cool place to preserve their flavor and texture.
How to Reheat
Reheat the cookies in a preheated oven for about 4 to 5 minutes or until warm. You can also pop them in a microwave for quicker reheating.
How to Freeze
Place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container lined with parchment paper and freeze for up to 3 months. Make sure to thaw them at room temperature before reheating.
More Cookie Recipes
- 50 Best Cookie Recipes
- Soft and Chewy Ginger Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookies
- Gingersnaps
- Chai Cookies
- Gingerbread Biscotti
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