Irresistibly Soft Molasses Cookies: Homemade Comfort in Every Bite

Molasses cookies are a beloved classic in homemade baking.

Their rich and warm flavors remind many of traditional American desserts.

These cookies have a soft and chewy texture that sets them apart from crunchy ones.

The deep amber-brown color hints at their sweet, molasses-rich taste.

Both casual bakers and seasoned pastry experts enjoy making these treats because they bring back fond memories.

Many families have shared these cookies over the years, cherishing them as symbols of comfort and tradition.

Why Soft Molasses Cookies Are Full Of Warm Spice

• Savor Simple Spice Magic: Molasses Cookies delight with irresistible charm and ease of preparation.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking: Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe requires minimal technical skills and basic kitchen tools, ensuring success with every batch.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Warm spices and soft texture create an inviting treat that appeals to all ages, making these cookies ideal for family gatherings or casual get-togethers.
• Quick Weeknight Dessert: Speedily whipped up in under 30 minutes, these cookies satisfy sweet cravings without demanding extensive time or complicated techniques.

Ingredients Needed For Soft Molasses Cookies

• Flour: Essential base for soft cookie texture, all-purpose works best.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and tender crumb, use unsalted for better control.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie browning, granulated white sugar preferred.
• Molasses: Key flavor component giving deep, warm sweetness, dark molasses recommended.

• Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves: Create warm, cozy flavor profile, freshly ground spices offer best taste.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity.

• Egg: Helps bind ingredients and provides structure, large room temperature egg ideal.
• Baking Soda: Provides leavening and helps cookies spread, fresh and active baking soda essential.

• Coarse Sugar: Creates sparkling exterior and adds slight crunch, raw or turbinado sugar works best.

Steps To Make Soft Molasses Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350°F. Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 2: Blend the Dry Delights

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

Step 3: Create the Cookie Base

Fire up your mixer and cream butter and sugar until they look light and fluffy. Toss in the egg and molasses, mixing until everything plays nice together. Slowly add the dry ingredient mix, blending until fully combined.

Step 4: Shape and Sparkle

Scoop out heaping spoonfuls of dough and roll them into perfect little balls. Roll each ball in coarse sugar, then place them on the prepared baking sheets. Give each cookie some breathing room – about 2 inches apart.

Step 5: Bake and Chill

Pop the sheets into the hot oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges look set and the tops start to crack. Let the cookies hang out on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Helpful Tips For Soft Molasses Cookies

• Soften Butter Smartly: Take butter out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before baking to ensure smooth, even mixing and perfect cookie texture.
• Control Sugar Coating: Use sparkling or turbinado sugar for extra crunch and a beautiful crystalline finish on the cookie exterior.
• Prevent Sticky Dough: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to make handling easier and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
• Achieve Perfect Crackle: Ensure cookies crack beautifully by not overbaking and removing them when edges are just set but centers remain slightly soft.
• Store for Maximum Freshness: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, with a slice of bread to maintain moisture and softness.

How To Store Soft Molasses Cookies Properly

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container for maximum 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Reheat: Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore softness and bring back that fresh-baked warmth.
• Moisture Tip: Add a slice of bread to the storage container to help maintain the cookies' soft texture and prevent them from drying out.

What Goes With Soft Molasses Cookies Best

• Complement the soft molasses cookies with hot chai tea or mulled cider. These drinks mirror the warm spices in the cookies, creating a harmonious flavor experience that feels like a cozy autumn embrace.
• Enhance with Creamy Companions
• Select rich, creamy accompaniments like vanilla bean ice cream or whipped mascarpone. The smooth textures balance the cookie's slightly crisp edges and provide a delightful contrast to the deep molasses flavor.
• Match with Nutty Counterpoints
• Serve alongside toasted almond butter or pecan-infused coffee. The nutty undertones will highlight the cookies' warm spice profile and add depth to the overall tasting experience.
• Create Sweet Wine Harmony
• Enjoy with a glass of late harvest Riesling or a sweet dessert port. These wines offer a complementary sweetness that echoes the molasses and spice notes, creating a luxurious dessert pairing.

Fun Variations Of Soft Molasses Cookies

• Gluten-Free Cookies: Replace wheat flour with a blend of almond flour and gluten-free all-purpose flour for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Molasses Treats: Substitute butter with coconut oil and use a flax egg instead of a regular egg to create a plant-based version.
• Reduced Sugar Option: Use a sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener and replace some molasses with unsweetened applesauce to lower overall sugar content.
• Spiced Nutty Variation: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough for extra crunch and incorporate a pinch of cardamom for deeper flavor complexity.

Soft Molasses Cookies FAQ List

• What makes molasses a key ingredient in these cookies?

Molasses provides rich, deep flavor and contributes to the soft, chewy texture while giving the cookies their distinctive dark color and slightly earthy sweetness.

• Can I make these cookies without using a mixer?

Yes, you can use a wooden spoon or spatula to cream butter and sugar, then mix ingredients manually, though a mixer helps create a smoother, more evenly blended dough.

• Why do the cookies need to be rolled in coarse sugar?

Coarse sugar creates a delightful crispy exterior and adds a sparkling, crunchy texture that contrasts with the soft, tender cookie interior, enhancing both visual appeal and taste.

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

Look for set edges and tops that have small, characteristic cracks. The cookies should look slightly underbaked, as they will continue to firm up while cooling on the baking sheet.

Irresistibly Chewy Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Grandma’s cherished Soft Molasses Cookies deliver nostalgic warmth with each delightful bite. Spiced with cinnamon and ginger, these classic treats connect generations through comforting homemade goodness you’ll treasure.

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Ingredients

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Primary Flour and Spices:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¾ teaspoon salt

Fats and Sweeteners:

• ¾ cup (170 grams or 1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) molasses

Protein and Finishing Ingredient:

• 1 large egg, room temperature
• Coarse sugar, for rolling

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats for optimal cookie release.
2. Combine all dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, whisking flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and cloves until evenly distributed.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough.
4. Incorporate the egg and molasses into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly to ensure a consistent texture and rich flavor profile.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
6. Portion the dough into small spheres using a tablespoon, rolling each ball to create uniform cookies.
7. Generously coat each dough ball in coarse sugar, ensuring complete coverage for a sparkling, crisp exterior.
8. Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking sheets, maintaining adequate spacing to allow for spreading during baking.
9. Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, watching for slightly set edges and characteristic surface cracking that indicates perfect doneness.
10. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to complete the cooling process.

Notes

• Achieve soft, pillowy texture by avoiding overmixing the dough, which can lead to tough cookies.
• Adjust baking time slightly for crispier or softer edges depending on personal preference.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure even mixing and consistent cookie spread.
• Experiment with alternative sugars like coconut sugar for a deeper, more complex flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg