If you’ve been searching for the perfect balance of soft texture, warm spices, and that irresistible chewy molasses flavor, this Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These cookies are soft, tender, and infused with classic ginger and cinnamon notes that make every bite feel like a cozy hug. Whether it’s for a festive occasion or a simple treat to brighten your day, this recipe promises delicious results with a fuss-free process. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the sweetest aroma and your heart with cookie joy!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of soft molasses cookies lies in simple ingredients that each bring something special to the table—flavor, texture, and that beautiful golden-brown color. With basic pantry staples and a handful of spices, you’re set for cookie success.
- All-purpose flour (2-1/4 cups): Provides structure while keeping the cookies tender when measured just right.
- Ground ginger (2 teaspoons): Adds a warm, spicy kick that’s signature to classic molasses cookies.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Brings a sweet earthiness that complements the molasses perfectly.
- Ground cloves (1/2 teaspoon): Offers subtle depth and a slightly smoky undertone.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just enough for that perfect soft texture.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Unsalted butter (3/4 cup or 12 tablespoons): Adds richness and ensures a soft, melt-in-your-mouth bite.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup + 1/4 cup): Sweetens the dough and adds a delightful sugary crust when rolled.
- Light brown sugar (1/4 cup): Brings moisture and a caramel note that pairs beautifully with molasses.
- Large egg (1): Binds everything together and contributes to the cookie’s chewy interior.
- Molasses (1/4 cup, NOT blackstrap): The star ingredient, giving the cookies their rich molasses flavor and tender crumb.
How to Make Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Freezer
Before anything else, gather all your ingredients so nothing catches you off guard mid-recipe. Because these cookies need to chill before baking, plan to preheat your oven only after the dough has been in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes. This resting step is crucial for setting the perfect texture and preventing your cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Dry Ingredients
Combine the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisking not only mixes these ingredients evenly but also helps break up any clumps, ensuring that each bite is bursting with spiced goodness. This fragrant mix sets the foundation for your delicious Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a separate large bowl, beat the unsalted butter with both sugars on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is where your cookie dough develops the perfect texture, as creamed butter traps air, lending those soft cookies their tender crumb and slight lift.
Step 4: Add Egg and Molasses
Now, add the egg and molasses to your butter and sugar mixture. Beat on medium speed just until combined. Overmixing at this stage can lead to tougher cookies, so be gentle and patient. This step infuses your dough with that deep molasses flavor essential to the Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and blend on low speed just until no dry flour remains. The dough will be sticky, so resist the urge to overmix or knead—it’s meant to be soft and tender. This careful handling ensures your cookies stay delightfully soft after baking.
Step 6: Shape and Freeze the Cookie Dough
Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough and roll them into balls using slightly damp hands; this prevents stickiness without making the dough soggy. Roll each ball in the remaining granulated sugar, then place them on a baking sheet and freeze for 20 to 30 minutes. Freezing is a game-changer here—it helps the cookies keep their shape and develop those beautiful cracks as they bake.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 375°F only once your dough balls are frozen. Arrange the cookies on a lined baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake one tray at a time for 8 to 12 minutes until the cookies are puffed and set around the edges, and their surfaces show those characteristic crackles. Your kitchen will smell heavenly!
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes; they will flatten slightly, which is completely normal for this Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before storing them in an airtight jar, where they’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to a week.
How to Serve Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of powdered sugar or a light dusting of cinnamon sugar on top makes these cookies look even more festive. You can also dip half the cookie in melted dark chocolate for a rich contrast that pairs excellently with the molasses flavor.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside a warm cup of chai tea or hot cocoa to complement the spicy warmth and create a comforting treat. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side can also turn these soft cookies into a simple yet indulgent dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack a few cookies on a pretty plate with ribbons tied around the stack for an irresistible gift. You could also sandwich a dollop of cream cheese frosting between two cookies for a decadent twist on the Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe that will wow your friends.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cookies keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 to 7 days. To maintain their softness, place a slice of bread in the container; the cookies will absorb moisture gently from the bread, keeping them fresh longer.
Freezing
You can freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls as instructed. After baking, fully cooled cookies can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy, and you’ll have fresh-tasting cookies anytime.
Reheating
Pop refrigerated or thawed cookies in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to regain that freshly baked warmth and softness. Alternatively, microwave a cookie for about 10 seconds for a quick, comforting treat.
FAQs
Can I use blackstrap molasses instead of regular molasses?
Blackstrap molasses is much stronger and more bitter than regular molasses, which can overwhelm the delicate balance in the Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe. It’s best to stick with regular molasses for that perfect sweet, rich flavor.
Why do the cookies need to be frozen before baking?
Freezing the dough balls helps prevent spreading during baking, allowing the cookies to hold their shape and develop the signature crackled tops, resulting in a soft yet structurally perfect cookie.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
You can experiment with gluten-free all-purpose flour blends, but be aware that texture and rise might vary slightly. Adding a small amount of xanthan gum can help mimic the structure of regular flour in the Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe.
How do I store cookies to keep them soft?
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of fresh bread. The bread releases moisture that the cookies absorb, which helps keep them soft and chewy for several days.
Can these cookies be made vegan?
To make a vegan version, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative and replace the egg with a flax or chia egg. However, the texture and taste might differ slightly from the classic Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about homemade cookies that warm your heart and your home, and this Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe delivers just that. With a simple list of ingredients and straightforward steps, you can bring the comforting flavors of molasses and warm spices to your kitchen anytime. Give this recipe a try—you’ll soon discover these soft, chewy cookies will be a beloved staple in your baking repertoire.
Print
Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 2.2 dozen (approximately 26-28 cookies)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Soft Molasses Cookies are delightfully tender with a rich blend of warm spices and a deep molasses flavor. Perfectly chewy with crackled tops, they offer a comforting treat ideal for cozy afternoons or holiday baking. The dough is chilled before baking to enhance the texture and flavor, resulting in perfectly soft and flavorful cookies every time.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2–1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled, or 2 cups if scooped)
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (12 tablespoons or 1–1/2 sticks), softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses (NOT blackstrap)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Prep: These cookies require freezing the dough for 20-30 minutes before baking, so wait to preheat the oven until after chilling the dough. Gather all ingredients.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl to evenly combine the spices and leavening.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the softened butter until pale and creamy. Add granulated and brown sugars and cream together for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Incorporate the egg and molasses on medium speed just until combined; avoid overmixing.
- Make Dough: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients on low mixer speed, mixing just until a soft cookie dough forms and no dry flour remains. Do not overmix or knead the dough as it should remain soft and slightly sticky.
- Shape Cookies: Using heaping tablespoons, scoop dough and roll into balls with slightly damp hands to prevent sticking. Roll each ball in granulated sugar, then freeze the dough balls on a tray for 20-30 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) after dough chilling is complete. Place cookie dough balls on a lined baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake one tray at a time for 8-12 minutes until cookies are puffed, set around edges, and cracked on the surface.
- Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Cookies will flatten slightly as they cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days.
Notes
- Lightly dampen hands when rolling dough balls to prevent sticking without making dough soggy.
- Freeze dough balls before baking to help cookies retain their soft texture.
- Do not overmix once dry ingredients are added to avoid tough cookies.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to a week.
- Molasses should be regular, not blackstrap, for best flavor and tenderness.
