Grandma’s Molasses Cookies Recipe: Sweet Vintage Comfort

Baking these classic molasses cookies transports you straight to grandma’s cozy kitchen with their rich, spiced molasses flavor.

Warm spices like cinnamon and ginger dance through these traditional cookies, creating an irresistible aroma that fills every corner of your home.

The secret family recipe has been passed down through generations, perfecting each delightful batch.

Soft, chewy, and beautifully crackled, these cookies offer a nostalgic taste of comfort and love.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and deep, complex molasses notes that remind you of cherished childhood memories.

The simple ingredients come together effortlessly, promising a delightful treat that will become a beloved staple in your own baking repertoire.

Prepare to savor a timeless recipe that connects generations through the magic of home-baked goodness.

Bake Irresistibly Soft Molasses Cookies from Scratch

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 375F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

• Whip Butter and Sugar

Grab a mixing bowl and blend softened butter with sugar until super fluffy and creamy.

• Mix Wet Ingredients

Splash in the egg and molasses, stirring until everything looks smooth and combined.

• Create Dry Blend

In another bowl, quickly mix flour, baking soda, warm spices like cinnamon and ginger, and a pinch of salt.

• Form Cookie Dough

Slowly fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, creating a soft, tempting dough that begs to be tasted.

• Shape Delightful Cookies

Roll dough into small balls, then coat each one in sugar for a sparkling, sweet exterior. Space them nicely on the baking sheet.

• Bake to Perfection

Pop cookies in the oven for 8-10 minutes. Look for set edges but keep centers soft and tender.

• Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Grab a glass of milk and savor your homemade treat!

Tips That Keep Molasses Cookies Tender and Spiced

• Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure perfect creamy consistency and smoother dough integration.
• Use extra coarse sugar for a delightful crackly exterior that adds delicious texture and sparkly visual appeal to your cookies.
• Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, more structured cookies with deeper flavor development.
• Replace wheat flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend, ensuring those with dietary restrictions can enjoy these classic molasses treats without compromise.
• Adjust ground spices to personal preference – increase ginger for more warmth or reduce cloves for a milder flavor profile that suits individual taste preferences.

Serve Grandma’s Cookies with Milk or Tea

• Cozy Beverage Pairing: Complement these soft molasses cookies with a warm mug of spiced chai tea or rich hot chocolate, enhancing the warm spices and creating a comforting dessert experience.
• Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange cookies on a rustic wooden board with cinnamon sticks, candied ginger pieces, and a light dusting of powdered sugar for a stunning seasonal presentation that feels inviting and welcoming.
• Decadent Dessert Upgrade: Transform these cookies into sandwich treats by spreading creamy vanilla buttercream or smooth cream cheese frosting between two cookies, elevating the classic recipe into an elegant sweet indulgence.
• Ice Cream Sandwich Twist: Create delightful summer desserts by sandwiching vanilla or butter pecan ice cream between two cooled molasses cookies, offering a refreshing contrast to the warm spiced flavors.

Store These Cookies for Cozy Snacking

• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, freeze for 3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Prepare dough up to 48 hours before baking, refrigerate in sealed container. Let dough sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before shaping and baking.
• Place a slice of bread in storage container to maintain soft, chewy texture. Replace bread slice every 1-2 days to keep cookies moist and delectable.

FAQs

• Why do these molasses cookies have such a soft texture?

The softness comes from using butter, molasses, and avoiding overbaking. The key is taking the cookies out when edges are set but centers remain soft, which preserves their trademark tender crumb.

• Can I substitute the spices in the recipe?

While traditional spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves create classic flavor, you can adjust quantities or swap similar warm spices like nutmeg or allspice based on your preference without drastically changing the cookie’s character.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for slightly set edges with soft centers. When you remove them from the oven, they might seem slightly underbaked, but they’ll continue firming up during cooling, resulting in that perfect chewy texture molasses cookies are known for.

• Is molasses essential for this recipe?

Absolutely. Molasses provides unique depth of flavor, rich color, and moisture that defines these cookies. Blackstrap or regular molasses both work, though blackstrap has a more intense, slightly bitter taste that some bakers prefer.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 24

Grandma’s Soft Molasses Cookie Ingredient List

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for tender cookies, choose high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create crisp cookie edges, look for fine, pure sugar crystals.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture, select fresh, room-temperature eggs for smooth mixing.
• Molasses: Delivers deep, robust sweetness and signature dark color, opt for robust or dark molasses for intense flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie structure and softness, use fresh, sifted flour for smooth texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread, ensure it's fresh and not expired for proper leavening.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, comforting spice, choose freshly ground for most vibrant flavor.
• Ground Ginger: Provides subtle, zesty warmth, select high-quality ground ginger for best taste.
• Ground Cloves: Brings deep, aromatic undertone, use sparingly for balanced spice profile.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Granulated Sugar: Creates crispy, sweet exterior, use extra-fine sugar for smooth coating.

Tools That Make Grandma’s Molasses Cookies Easy

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing ingredients thoroughly.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Perfect for beating butter, sugar, and creating a fluffy base.
• Whisk: Crucial for combining dry ingredients evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure cookie success.
• Baking sheets: Necessary for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper or silicone mats: Prevents sticking and easy cookie removal.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool without getting soggy.
• Tablespoon or cookie scoop: Creates uniform cookie sizes for consistent baking.

Delectable Grandmas Molasses Cookies Recipe

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

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Description

Grandma’s legendary Molasses Cookies deliver a nostalgic comfort from rural American kitchens. Rich spices and deep molasses create a classic treat that connects generations with simple, heartwarming flavors.

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Ingredients

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• 1 large egg
• ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters/ml) unsulfured molasses
• 2 tsps baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp salt
• Granulated sugar (for rolling)

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Heat oven to 375F (190C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for seamless cookie baking.
2. Creaming Process: Vigorously blend softened butter and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough.
3. Wet Ingredient Fusion: Introduce egg and molasses to the butter-sugar mixture, stirring until completely integrated and uniform in texture.
4. Dry Ingredient Harmony: Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt in a separate bowl, ensuring even distribution of spices and leavening agents.
5. Dough Formation: Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, combining gently to create a soft, cohesive dough without overmixing.
6. Cookie Shaping: Form tablespoon-sized dough balls, roll in granulated sugar to create a sparkling exterior, and position on prepared baking sheets with ample spacing.
7. Baking Technique: Bake for 8-10 minutes, monitoring closely to achieve set edges while maintaining a tender, soft center.
8. Cooling Protocol: Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture development.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for perfect creaming, which creates the signature soft texture of these cookies.
• Avoid Overmixing Dough: Gently fold dry ingredients to prevent tough cookies, stopping just when ingredients are combined to maintain a delicate crumb.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Roll dough balls generously in sugar for a crispy exterior and beautiful crackled surface that adds textural contrast.
• Baking Time is Critical: Watch cookies closely during the 8-10 minute window; slight underbaking keeps them wonderfully soft and chewy, preventing dry results.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg