Super Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe
If you’re searching for the ultimate holiday treat, look no further than these Super Soft Molasses Cookies. Each bite delivers the coziness of winter spices, the warmth of molasses, and an irresistibly chewy texture that sets these cookies apart. Whether you’re planning a festive gathering or simply want to enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up, these cookies will add a comforting, nostalgic touch to any occasion. Plus, they fill your kitchen with the inviting aroma of ginger and cinnamon as they bake, so be ready for lots of compliments—and requests for the recipe!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in these Super Soft Molasses Cookies plays an important role, from the deep flavor of molasses to the rich spices that create their signature taste. Don’t be tempted to skip or substitute—each part brings out the best in these nostalgic cookies!
- All-purpose flour: Forms the soft, tender crumb that helps these cookies stay perfectly chewy.
- Ground ginger: Gives that gentle warmth and zing you expect from a classic molasses cookie.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds coziness and a beautiful depth of flavor to the spice mix.
- Ground cloves: Just a touch goes a long way, lending complexity and a hint of sweetness.
- Nutmeg: Rounds out the spices with its warm, slightly nutty note.
- Baking soda: Ensures your cookies puff up and stay delightfully soft.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and lets all the spices shine.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Brings richness and melt-in-your-mouth magic to every bite.
- Packed brown sugar: Infuses the dough with deep, caramel notes and contributes to a perfectly soft texture.
- Unsulphured molasses: The star ingredient, furnishing signature flavor, moisture, and lovely color.
- Large egg: Helps bind the dough for texture and lift.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors, giving a little extra comfort in every bite.
- Granulated sugar (for rolling): Creates that irresistible, sparkly exterior and a delicate crunch.
How to Make Super Soft Molasses Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets and Oven
Before diving in, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off the pan easily, with no sticking or cleanup hassles.
Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these first ensures the spices are well distributed and the cookies are full of flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for achieving that oh-so-soft texture in your Super Soft Molasses Cookies.
Step 4: Blend in the Wet Ingredients
Add the unsulphured molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to your creamed mixture. Beat until everything is well combined—your dough will already smell amazing at this point, rich with holiday aromas.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix gently, just until the dough forms and everything is incorporated. Don’t overmix—this is what keeps your cookies tender and chewy.
Step 6: Scoop and Roll
Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, create even balls of dough. Roll each ball in granulated sugar until coated, then place on your prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. The sugar crust is a signature touch for these cookies.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, watching for the edges to set while the centers should look slightly underbaked. This is the not-so-secret trick to keeping your Super Soft Molasses Cookies irresistibly chewy.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. They’ll finish setting up as they cool—but if you sneak one warm, I promise I won’t tell!
How to Serve Super Soft Molasses Cookies
Garnishes
Classic never goes out of style! Sprinkle a touch of extra sugar on top while the cookies are still warm for extra sparkle, or dust them lightly with powdered sugar right before serving for a snowy effect. For a festive twist, a drizzle of white chocolate or a sprinkle of chopped candied ginger makes these Super Soft Molasses Cookies holiday-ready.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a mug of spiced chai, rich hot chocolate, or even a cool glass of milk for dunking. For a more sophisticated treat, serve alongside vanilla or cinnamon ice cream—perfect for a cozy fireside dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re gifting or hosting, pile the cookies high on a vintage cookie platter for maximum nostalgia, or package a few in cellophane bags tied with ribbon for a homemade present. For a playful touch, stack them with parchment rounds and tie with kitchen twine, then tuck them into a festive tin. However you serve them, these Super Soft Molasses Cookies are bound to be the star!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place completely cooled cookies in an airtight container to maintain their signature softness. Stored at room temperature, Super Soft Molasses Cookies will stay deliciously chewy for up to 5 days (if they last that long!).
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully. Simply pop cooled cookies into a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Stored this way, they keep for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
If you want to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, microwave a cookie for 5 to 10 seconds. You’ll get a gooey, just-baked experience all over again—perfect for chilly evenings!
FAQs
Can I chill the dough before baking?
Absolutely! Chilling the dough for about an hour lets all the flavors develop and can make rolling easier. The result? Even softer, more flavorful Super Soft Molasses Cookies with delightfully crackly tops.
What type Dessert
Stick with unsulphured molasses for the perfect balance of robust flavor and sweetness. Avoid blackstrap molasses, which can be too bitter and overpowering for cookies.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The secret is to look for set edges while the centers remain slightly underbaked. They’ll continue to set up as they cool, so don’t worry if they look just a bit too soft when you first pull them from the oven.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Your cookies should still come out soft and chewy, with all the classic flavor you crave.
Why roll the cookies in sugar before baking?
That quick roll in granulated sugar is what gives Super Soft Molasses Cookies their sparkling, crackly tops and a delightful first crunch that melts into the soft center.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend these Super Soft Molasses Cookies enough—they’re the kind of classic, cozy treat you’ll want to make all year long (not just for the holidays). I hope you enjoy every soft, spiced bite!
Print
Super Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of these Super Soft Molasses Cookies. These chewy spiced cookies are perfect for holiday baking, with a delightful blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Coated in a sugary crust, they are a classic treat for any time of year.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg, and vanilla extract, beating until combined.
- Combine ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Shape and bake: Scoop dough into tablespoon-sized balls, roll in granulated sugar, and place on baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are set but centers are slightly soft.
- Cool and enjoy: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Do not overbake—the cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
- For extra flavor, chill the dough for 1 hour before baking.
- Cookies store well in an airtight container for up to 5 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
