If you’ve been searching for that perfect, chewy treat to cozy up your afternoon or brighten your holiday gatherings, look no further than this Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe. These cookies are the ultimate fall comfort food, bursting with warm spices and a deep molasses sweetness that makes every bite melt delightfully in your mouth. Soft on the inside with slightly crisp edges, they strike just the right balance to please anyone craving a classic homemade cookie that never goes out of style.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, pantry-friendly ingredients is all it takes to create these soft molasses wonders. Each component plays a vital role in building the cookie’s rich flavor and tender texture, creating a harmonious blend of spice and sweetness you’ll adore.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone providing structure without weighing down the cookies.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just right and gives them that perfect chewiness.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds warm, sweet spice for that quintessential molasses cookie flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger: Brings a gentle zing that enhances the depth of spices.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves: Provides a rich, aromatic touch that balances the sweetness.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Elevates all the flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened: Makes the cookies tender and adds a rich, creamy taste.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create a slight crispiness on the edges.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the tender crumb.
- 1/4 cup molasses: The star ingredient that gives these cookies their iconic deep flavor and beautiful dark color.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor with a delicate floral sweetness.
- 1/4 cup additional granulated sugar (for rolling): Creates a sparkling, slightly crunchy coating on each cookie’s surface.
How to Make Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s hot and ready to give the cookies that perfect bake from the moment they go in. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Prepare Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Mixing these dry spices and leavening agents first helps achieve an even flavor throughout every cookie.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Grab a large mixing bowl and beat the softened butter together with 1 cup of granulated sugar until light, fluffy, and pale in color. This air incorporation is key for a soft cookie texture.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until the mixture turns smooth and luscious. The molasses not only flavors but adds moisture for those wonderfully chewy bites.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually stir the dry ingredient mixture into the wet mixture until a soft dough comes together. Don’t overmix – just until it’s blended well for tender cookies.
Step 6: Shape and Roll Dough
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball. Then roll the dough balls in the additional granulated sugar for that charming sparkling finish and a subtle crunch.
Step 7: Bake
Arrange the sugar-coated balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are just set but the centers remain soft and tender. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them firm up just enough without losing that special soft texture.
How to Serve Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies shine on their own, adding a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate can elevate their appearance and add another layer of flavor. Sprinkling a pinch of cinnamon sugar over freshly baked cookies also complements their warm spice profile beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair your Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe with a creamy glass of cold milk, chai tea, or even a rich coffee for a comforting snack. They also work wonderfully alongside warm applesauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a sweet and spiced dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties or special gatherings, arrange these cookies stacked on decorative plates, tied with rustic twine or adorned with edible gold leaf. Serving them alongside an assortment of nuts and dried fruits creates a lovely cookie platter that invites everyone to indulge.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your baked Soft Molasses Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To maintain softness, store them with a slice of bread or an apple wedge, which helps retain moisture and keeps the cookies tender.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking by placing them on a tray lined with parchment and freezing until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to baking time. Baked cookies also freeze well, stored in airtight containers for up to three months.
Reheating
Warm leftover cookies briefly in a microwave or oven at low temperature to refresh their soft texture. A quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave or 5 minutes at 300°F in the oven usually does the trick, restoring that just-baked feel.
FAQs
Can I use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar in this Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! Brown sugar will add extra moisture and a slightly richer, caramel-like flavor, enhancing the cookie’s chewiness and depth.
What if I don’t have molasses? Can I substitute something else?
Molasses has a unique flavor and color, but you can try using dark honey or maple syrup as a substitute, though the taste will be different and less robust.
How do I make these cookies more crunchy?
To get crunchier cookies, bake them a minute or two longer until the edges turn golden brown, but be careful not to overbake as they may dry out.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
Yes! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or semi-sweet chocolate chips are fantastic additions that complement the spice and molasses flavor nicely.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make a gluten-free version, try substituting with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, ensuring similar texture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about the way these Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe brings warmth and joy with every bite. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just a cozy moment alone, this recipe promises a perfectly soft, spiced cookie that will soon become a beloved favorite in your baking repertoire. Give it a go and watch how quickly these chewy treats disappear!
Print
Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Soft Molasses Cookies are a perfect blend of warm spices and rich molasses, resulting in tender, chewy cookies with a slightly crisp sugar-coated exterior. Easy to prepare and baked to perfection, they offer a cozy treat ideal for holiday seasons or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup additional granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using a hand or stand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, followed by the molasses and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, stirring just until a cohesive dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
- Shape and Roll Dough: Using a tablespoon scoop, portion out the dough and roll each portion into a ball. Then roll each dough ball in the additional 1/4 cup granulated sugar to coat the surface evenly.
- Bake: Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft and tender.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely or serve warm.
Notes
- For a softer cookie, avoid overbaking; remove just as the edges set.
- You can substitute molasses with dark corn syrup if molasses is not available, but the flavor will be less robust.
- Storing cookies in an airtight container will keep them soft for up to 5 days.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help prevent excessive spreading.
- Optional: Add a pinch of nutmeg or black pepper for a subtle warmth in flavor.
