Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe for Cozy Baking Days

Grandma’s cherished soft molasses cookies transport memories of cozy kitchen moments.

Sweet spices dance through her classic recipe, whispering comfort with each bite.

These delicate rounds carry warmth from generations past, blending rich molasses with gentle warmth.

Cinnamon and ginger peek through tender crumbs, creating magic in every morsel.

Crisp edges give way to impossibly soft centers that melt on your tongue.

Baking these treats connects us to childhood’s simplest pleasures.

You’ll adore how quickly these come together, promising pure happiness in less than an hour.

Ingredients for Soft, Chewy Molasses Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a soft cookie texture.
• Molasses: Signature sweetener with deep, complex flavor unique to these cookies.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture to the cookie dough.

• All-Purpose Flour: Standard baking flour for creating cookie structure.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps with cookie caramelization.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread during baking.

• Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves: Classic warm spices that give traditional molasses cookie flavor, use freshly ground for best results.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

How to Bake Soft Molasses Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Turn the oven to 350F (175C) so it gets nice and toasty while you prepare the dough.

Step 2: Whip Butter and Sweetener

Grab a large mixing bowl and blend softened butter with sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and light. This process helps create those dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth cookie textures.

Step 3: Introduce Liquid Goodness

Splash in the molasses and crack an egg into the butter mixture. Stir enthusiastically until everything looks smooth and unified.

Step 4: Combine Dry Elements

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Cloves
• Salt

Whisk these dry ingredients together. Slowly fold them into the wet mixture, stirring gently to keep the dough tender.

Step 5: Form Cookie Rounds

Roll the dough into small balls, about the size of a ping pong ball. Give each ball a delightful roll in granulated sugar. Arrange them on the baking sheets, leaving some breathing room between each cookie.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the trays into the oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges look set and the tops develop those classic crackly patterns. Watch carefully to keep them wonderfully soft.

Step 7: Let Them Rest

Transfer the cookies to a wire rack. Let them cool down and develop their signature chewy texture. Resist the temptation to gobble them up immediately!

Tips That Help Molasses Cookies Stay Tender

• Soften Butter Perfectly: Leave butter at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to ensure smooth, fluffy texture without melting.
• Prevent Tough Cookies: Mix dry ingredients gently and avoid overmixing the dough to maintain a tender, soft cookie consistency.
• Roll in Sugar Technique: Use extra granulated sugar when coating cookie balls for a delightful crispy exterior and sweet crunch.
• Crack-Free Baking Trick: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain shape and create beautiful surface cracks.
• Storage Secret: Store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them soft and moist for several days.

Storing Soft Molasses Cookies Without Losing Texture

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days. Separate layers with wax paper to prevent sticking.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Properly stored, they'll maintain quality for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
• Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes. This restores their soft, tender consistency and brings back that fresh-baked warmth.
• If cookies become slightly dry, add a slice of bread to the container overnight. The moisture from the bread will help soften the cookies, making them taste freshly baked.

Pairings That Work with Molasses Cookies

• Complement the warm, spicy notes of molasses cookies with a steaming cup of chai tea, perfectly balancing the cookie's gingery sweetness.
• Serve the soft cookies alongside creamy vanilla ice cream, creating a delightful contrast between the warm, spiced cookie and cool, smooth dessert.
• Create a delectable treat by spreading a light layer of tangy cream cheese on these cookies, enhancing their rich molasses flavor with a creamy, slightly sharp complement.
• Enjoy these cookies with a smooth caramel latte, where the coffee's depth and caramel sweetness beautifully echo the cookie's warm spices and rich molasses undertones.

Fresh Variants of Soft Molasses Cookies

• Gluten-Free Molasses Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to create a celiac-friendly version that maintains the original cookie's soft texture.
• Vegan Spice Cookies: Substitute butter with coconut oil, replace egg with a flax egg, and use maple syrup instead of traditional molasses for a plant-based alternative that keeps the warm spice profile.
• Low-Sugar Molasses Cookies: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of granulated sugar, and reduce overall sugar content while maintaining the classic cookie's rich flavor and soft consistency.
• Keto-Friendly Spice Cookies: Use almond flour, replace sugar with erythritol, and add extra warming spices like nutmeg to create a low-carb version that captures the essence of traditional molasses cookies.

Soft Molasses Cookies That Feel Like Winter

• Soft Molasses Cookies offer pure baking joy.
• Whip up these delightful cookies in under 30 minutes, perfect for spontaneous baking adventures or sudden sweet cravings.
• Enjoy traditional spices like cinnamon and ginger that transport you to cozy family gatherings and childhood memories, creating a warm, comforting experience.
• Designed for novice bakers, this recipe requires minimal techniques and basic ingredients, ensuring success for anyone wanting to create delicious homemade treats.
• Soft, chewy texture and rich molasses flavor make these cookies a universal hit at potlucks, holiday parties, or casual weekend gatherings with friends and family.

Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Grandma’s Soft Molasses Cookies bring nostalgic comfort from classic American baking traditions. Warm spices and rich molasses blend perfectly, creating irresistible treats that connect generations through sweet, homemade goodness you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups (280 g / 9.88 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g / 7.05 ounces) brown sugar, packed
• ¾ cup (170 g / 6 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fluid ounces) molasses

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (50 g / 1.76 ounces) granulated sugar (for rolling)

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Instructions

1. Ensure the oven’s temperature is precisely calibrated to 350F (175C) and prepare baking surfaces with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
2. Use an electric mixer to blend butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a voluminous, pale cream with a whipped consistency, creating the foundation for tender cookies.
3. Introduce molasses and egg, stirring thoroughly to create a uniform, glossy mixture that will infuse the cookies with deep, rich flavor profiles.
4. Sift dry ingredients together in a separate vessel, combining flour, baking soda, aromatic spices, and salt to distribute leavening agents and seasonings evenly.
5. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain the dough’s delicate structure and prevent potential toughness.
6. Craft uniform spheres of dough approximately one inch in diameter, generously coating each with granulated sugar for a sparkling, crisp exterior.
7. Position cookie spheres strategically on prepared baking sheets, maintaining sufficient spacing to allow for gentle expansion during baking.
8. Monitor cookies carefully during baking, removing when edges appear set and surfaces develop characteristic crackled patterns, typically between 8-10 minutes.
9. Rest cookies briefly on baking sheets to stabilize their structure, then transition to cooling racks, allowing them to set and develop optimal texture.

Notes

• Experiment with different molasses types like blackstrap or light molasses to create unique flavor profiles that range from deep, robust to mild and sweet.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and ensure perfectly round, uniform cookies with crisp edges.
• Swap half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste and added nutritional value, making the cookies slightly more wholesome without compromising texture.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain softness and prevent them from drying out, keeping them deliciously tender for several days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg