Savory Molasses Cookies Recipe

There is something undeniably magical about the scent of ginger and cloves filling the kitchen on a crisp autumn afternoon. It instantly transports me back to childhood holidays when baking was the main event of the season.

This Molasses Cookies recipe captures that nostalgia with a texture that stays perfectly soft and chewy for days. The rich flavor and crackly sugar coating make them an irresistible treat for any cookie exchange or cozy night in.

Why You’ll Love This Molasses Cookies Recipe

The balance of spices in these cookies is absolutely perfect without being overpowering. You get a warm kick of ginger and cinnamon that pairs beautifully with the deep sweetness of molasses.

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how the dough benefits from chilling. You can make it ahead of time and bake fresh batches whenever a craving strikes.

These Molasses Cookies have that quintessential bakery-style look with beautiful cracks on top. They look impressive on a dessert platter but are surprisingly simple to pull together.

If you enjoyed this cozy spiced treat, you will definitely want to try my Zesty Apple Brownies with Maple Glaze for another autumn favorite. For a lighter fruit flavor that balances out the spice, I highly recommend baking a batch of Easy Lemon Blueberry Soft Cookies next.

Molasses Cookies Ingredients

Here are the pantry staples required to bake these spiced treats:

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the cookie; be sure to measure accurately so they don’t become dry.
• Baking Soda: This leavening agent helps the cookies puff up and spread just enough.
• Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness and bringing out the warmth of the spices.
• Spices: A blend of ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground ginger creates that signature warm flavor profile.
• Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature so it creams perfectly with the sugars.
• Sugars: A mix of brown sugar for chewiness and granulated sugar for crisp edges.
• Molasses: Use regular molasses rather than blackstrap for the best sweetness and texture.
• Egg: A large egg binds the dough together and adds richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a layer of aromatic sweetness to the background.
• Granulated Sugar for Rolling: Gives the exterior a sweet crunch and sparkle.

How to Make Molasses Cookies

Let’s get baking with these simple steps:

1. Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger together in a medium bowl until fully combined.
2. Cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and ¼ cup granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture on low speed, mixing just until no flour streaks remain.
5. Cover the bowl and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 90 minutes (up to 48 hours) to firm up.
6. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll them into smooth balls, and roll each ball generously in the remaining granulated sugar.
8. Place balls 2 inches apart on baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes until the tops crackle but centers look slightly underdone.

My Secrets for the Best Molasses Cookies

Accurately measuring your flour is the most critical step to ensure the cookies don’t end up dry or cakey. I recommend using a kitchen scale for precision, or fluffing the flour before lightly spooning it into the cup.

Do not skip the chilling time for this Molasses Cookies dough. The dough is sticky initially, and the cold temperature helps it firm up enough to roll easily into balls while preventing over-spreading.

Pull the cookies out of the oven when the centers still look slightly soft and under-baked. They will finish setting on the hot baking sheet, ensuring that perfect chewy texture we all crave.

Serving Your Molasses Cookies

I love serving these warm with a tall glass of cold milk or a hot cup of chai tea. The creamy drinks complement the bold spices in the Molasses Cookies wonderfully.

These are also fantastic for sandwiching around a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or pumpkin gelato. The contrast between the spiced cookie and the cold treat creates an unforgettable dessert experience.