Soft & Gooey Chewy Molasses Cookies Recipe for Sweet Lovers

Warm spices and rich, dark molasses weave magic into these chewy molasses cookies that transport you straight to grandma’s kitchen.

Sweet aromas of cinnamon and ginger dance through the air, promising comfort in every bite.

These classic cookies blend traditional flavors with irresistible softness.

Generations have cherished this simple yet deeply satisfying treat that connects us to cherished memories.

Each cookie carries a delicate balance of sweetness and warmth, crisp on the edges and wonderfully tender inside.

The secret lies in carefully selected ingredients that create a perfect harmony of taste and texture.

You’ll find these cookies disappear faster than you can bake them, so consider making a double batch to keep everyone happy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 24

What Goes Into Soft Molasses Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base that creates tender cookie texture with smooth, luxurious mouthfeel.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create golden, crispy cookie edges with caramelized undertones.
• Molasses: Delivers deep, complex sweetness with signature warm flavor and dark color.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to soft, chewy cookie consistency.

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundational ingredient that gives structure and helps cookies hold their shape.
• Baking Soda: Enables cookies to rise and spread evenly with light, airy texture.
• Cinnamon: Introduces warm, aromatic spice that complements molasses perfectly.
• Ginger: Adds subtle heat and traditional spice complexity to cookie flavor profile.
• Cloves: Provides intense, earthy undertone that enhances overall cookie spiciness.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other ingredient flavors.

• Granulated Sugar: Creates sparkling exterior and adds extra sweetness with delightful crunch.

Tools That Help Bake the Perfect Soft Molasses Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing wet ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients smoothly and breaking up any lumps.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Baking sheets: Lined with parchment paper or silicone mats for even cookie baking.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Makes creaming butter and sugar quick and effortless.
• Cookie scoop or spoon: Helps create uniform-sized cookie balls.

Bake Soft Molasses Cookies That Are Full of Spice

• Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and perfect cookie removal.

• Create Creamy Base

Blend softened butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture that promises delectable cookies.

• Awaken Rich Flavors

Mix in molasses and egg, stirring until the batter becomes a gorgeous caramel-colored blend that hints at the deliciousness to come.

• Blend Dry

Whisk flour, baking soda, and spices in a separate bowl, then gently fold into the wet ingredients. Stir just enough to combine without overmixing.

• Shape Delightful Rounds

Roll dough into small balls, then coat each in sugar for a sparkly, sweet exterior. Arrange on baking sheets with enough space between them to spread.

• Bake To Perfection

Pop cookies into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Watch for cracked tops and set edges – these are signs your cookies are ready to become irresistible treats.

• Cool And Enjoy

Let cookies rest on baking sheets briefly, then transfer to a cooling rack. Resist the temptation to gobble them up immediately and allow them to set into soft, chewy perfection.

Tips for Texture in Soft Molasses Cookies

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and enhance flavor development.
• Store cookies with a slice of bread in an airtight container to maintain their signature soft texture for several days.
• Replace wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly version; use coconut oil instead of butter for dairy-free adaptation.
• Adjust ground spices according to personal preference – increase ginger for more warmth or reduce cloves for milder flavor profile.
• Roll cookies in decorative sanding sugar or colored sugar crystals for festive holiday gifting and added visual appeal.

Serve Soft Molasses Cookies with Tea or Coffee

• Cozy Afternoon Tea Pairing: Serve these soft molasses cookies alongside a steaming mug of spiced chai tea or warm cinnamon apple cider for a comforting winter treat.
• Dessert Decadence: Create an elegant dessert plate by adding a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and drizzling caramel sauce over the warm cookies for a rich, indulgent experience.
• Holiday Gift Packaging: Stack the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, perfect for homemade edible gifts during Christmas or winter gatherings. Add a personalized gift tag for a heartwarming touch.
• Breakfast Companion: Crumble these cookies over Greek yogurt or sprinkle them atop morning oatmeal for a sweet and spicy breakfast twist that adds warmth and texture to your morning routine.

Store Molasses Cookies and Keep Them Tender

• Keep these molasses cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and soft texture.
• Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a quick sweet treat.
• Make cookie dough balls ahead of time and refrigerate for 24 hours before baking. This technique intensifies the rich molasses flavor and creates deeper caramel notes.
• Place a slice of bread in the storage container to maintain cookie softness. The bread releases moisture, keeping your cookies deliciously tender and preventing them from becoming dry or crumbly.

FAQs

• How do I get the perfect crackly top on my molasses cookies?

Roll the dough balls in granulated sugar before baking. This creates a beautiful crackled surface and adds a sweet, crunchy exterior when the cookies bake.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften slightly.

• Why are my cookies spreading too much?

Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent excessive spreading and maintains the cookie’s shape.

• How can I tell if the cookies are done baking?

Look for set edges and a cracked top. The cookies should look slightly underbaked in the center. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool, ensuring a soft, chewy texture.

Chewy Molasses Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

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

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Description

Molasses cookies bring warmth from traditional New England kitchens to your table. Rich spices and deep caramel notes create a comforting treat you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• ¾ cup (170 g / 6 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g / 7.05 oz) brown sugar, packed
• 2 ¼ cups (280 g / 9.88 oz) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsps ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ cup (50 g / 1.76 oz) granulated sugar (for rolling)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for optimal non-stick performance.
2. Creaming: Utilize electric mixer to whip butter and sugar into a voluminous, pale cream, establishing the foundational texture for delicate cookies.
3. Wet Ingredients: Integrate molasses and egg, creating a glossy, uniform mixture that will impart deep, complex flavor characteristics to the final product.
4. Dry Ingredient Blend: Meticulously sift flour, baking soda, aromatic spices, and salt in a separate bowl, ensuring even distribution of leavening agents and seasonings.
5. Dough Formation: Delicately incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, minimizing stirring to preserve the dough’s tender structure and prevent potential toughness.
6. Shaping: Sculpt uniform dough spheres approximately one inch in diameter, lavishly coating each with granulated sugar to create a sparkling, crisp exterior.
7. Baking: Strategically arrange cookie spheres on prepared sheets, allowing sufficient space for gentle expansion, and bake until edges set and surfaces develop characteristic crackled patterns, typically 8-10 minutes.
8. Cooling: Allow cookies to rest momentarily on baking sheets to stabilize structure, then transfer to cooling racks to complete setting and develop optimal texture.

Notes

• Temperature Precision: Calibrate oven exactly at 350F to ensure consistent, even baking and prevent under or over-cooking of cookies.
• Creaming Technique: Whip butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, which creates air pockets for softer, more tender cookie texture.
• Minimal Mixing Approach: Fold dry ingredients gently into wet mixture to maintain delicate dough structure and prevent tough, dense cookies.
• Sugar Coating Trick: Roll dough balls generously in granulated sugar for a sparkling, crisp exterior that adds delightful crunch and subtle sweetness.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 85 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg