The Best Molasses Cookies

There’s something magical about pulling a tray of molasses cookies from the oven—that warm, spicy aroma filling your kitchen just like Grandma’s house during the holidays. I’ve been baking these soft, chewy treasures for years, tweaking the recipe until I landed on what I truly believe are the best molasses cookies. The secret? A generous pour of dark molasses paired with just the right blend of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. These aren’t just cookies—they’re little rounds of comfort with crisp sugar-coated edges that give way to the most satisfyingly soft centers. Trust me, one bite and you’ll understand why my friends beg me to make these every winter.

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Why You’ll Love the Best Molasses Cookies

These aren’t your average cookies—they’re little bites of happiness that check all the boxes:

• Perfect texture – Crisp sugar crust outside, irresistibly soft and chewy inside
• Warm spice magic – Cinnamon, ginger and cloves create that cozy holiday flavor
• So simple – Just one bowl and basic ingredients you probably have right now
• Crowd-pleasers – Kids and grandparents alike go crazy for these
• Smells incredible – Your whole house will smell like a bakery while they bake

I make them year-round, but they’re especially perfect for cookie swaps and holiday gift tins. That crackly sugar coating? Absolute perfection.

Ingredients for the Best Molasses Cookies

Gather these simple ingredients – I promise each one plays a special role in creating that perfect molasses cookie magic:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour – Spoon and level it, don’t scoop!
• 2 teaspoons baking soda – The lift that makes them just puffy enough
• 1/2 teaspoon salt – Balances all that sweetness beautifully
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon – The spice blend’s star player
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger – Adds that warm, slightly peppery kick
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves – Just enough for depth without overpowering
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened – Really softened (like, leave-it-out-overnight soft)
• 1 cup granulated sugar – We’ll use some for rolling too
• 1 large egg – Room temp is ideal for even mixing
• 1/4 cup dark molasses – The darker the better for that deep, rich flavor
• 1/4 cup coarse sugar for rolling – That sparkly, crackly crust is everything

See? Nothing fancy – just good, honest ingredients that come together to make something extraordinary. Now let’s get mixing!

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How to Make the Best Molasses Cookies

Okay, let’s dive into the fun part – making these beauties! Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think. Just follow these steps and you’ll have perfect molasses cookies every single time.

Preparing the Dough

First things first – grab that softened butter (I can’t stress enough how important it is to be properly softened!) and cream it with the sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This is where the magic starts! Then beat in that egg – make sure it’s fully incorporated – before slowly drizzling in the molasses. Now here’s my trick: mix the dry ingredients separately first. This ensures all those lovely spices distribute evenly throughout the dough. Add them to the wet ingredients gradually, mixing just until combined. Overmixing is the enemy here – we want tender cookies, not hockey pucks!

Baking the Best Molasses Cookies

Time to get your hands dirty! Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough between your palms into perfect little balls. Now roll each one generously in that coarse sugar – this creates that irresistible crackly crust. Space them about 2 inches apart on your baking sheet (they’ll spread!). Bake just until the edges look set but the centers still appear slightly underdone – about 8-10 minutes. Here’s the hardest part: let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring. I know it’s tempting, but this patience pays off with perfectly soft centers!

If you adore soft, spiced cookies with a hint of nostalgia, you’ll love our Matcha Crinkle Cookies Recipe — a modern twist that’s perfectly chewy, slightly earthy, and absolutely irresistible.

Tips for Perfect Best Molasses Cookies

After baking countless batches of these cookies (and eating even more!), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks to make them absolutely perfect every time:

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes if you want thicker cookies – this prevents too much spreading
• Always use parchment paper – no sticking and easy cleanup
• The cookies will look underdone when you take them out – that’s exactly right!
• Let them cool on the baking sheet – moving them too soon makes them fall apart
• Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them soft for days

My biggest tip? Make a double batch – these disappear faster than you’d believe!

Variations for the Best Molasses Cookies

Once you’ve mastered the classic version, try these fun twists to keep things interesting:

• White chocolate chips – Fold in 1/2 cup for sweet creaminess that balances the spices
• Different sugars – Swap coarse sugar for turbinado or even coconut sugar when rolling
• Spice it up – Add a pinch of cardamom or allspice to the mix
• Orange zest – A tablespoon brightens up all those warm flavors beautifully

My personal favorite? Adding chopped crystallized ginger for extra zing – it’s a game changer!

Serving and Storing the Best Molasses Cookies

Nothing beats biting into one of these molasses cookies still slightly warm from the oven – the sugar crust crackles and that soft, spiced center just melts in your mouth. I always serve them with a cold glass of milk (the classic combo!) or dunked in hot coffee for grown-up indulgence. For storing, pop them in an airtight container at room temperature – they’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days, though let’s be honest, they never last that long in my house! If you want to revive that just-baked warmth, microwave a cookie for 10 seconds and it’s like magic – good as new.

Nutritional Information for the Best Molasses Cookies

Here’s the scoop on what’s in these delicious cookies – because let’s be real, we all want to know what we’re indulging in! Each cookie (if you can stop at just one) contains about:

• 120 calories – Perfect little treat size
• 5g fat (3g saturated) – Mostly from that glorious butter
• 18g carbs – Mostly from the molasses magic
• 10g sugar – That sweet, spicy goodness

Remember, these numbers can vary slightly based on your exact ingredients and cookie size. I like to think of them as guidelines rather than rules – after all, happiness calories don’t count when they taste this good!

For more cozy cookie creations, holiday baking favorites, and unique dessert ideas, follow us on Pinterest — where we share delicious inspiration that’ll keep your cookie jar full year-round.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Molasses Cookies