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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Ensure the oven’s temperature is precisely calibrated to 350F (175C) and prepare baking surfaces with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
- 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.
- Introduce molasses and egg, stirring thoroughly to create a uniform, glossy mixture that will infuse the cookies with deep, rich flavor profiles.
- Sift dry ingredients together in a separate vessel, combining flour, baking soda, aromatic spices, and salt to distribute leavening agents and seasonings evenly.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain the dough’s delicate structure and prevent potential toughness.
- Craft uniform spheres of dough approximately one inch in diameter, generously coating each with granulated sugar for a sparkling, crisp exterior.
- Position cookie spheres strategically on prepared baking sheets, maintaining sufficient spacing to allow for gentle expansion during baking.
- Monitor cookies carefully during baking, removing when edges appear set and surfaces develop characteristic crackled patterns, typically between 8-10 minutes.
- 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