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Molasses Cookies

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These soft and chewy molasses cookies are a classic holiday treat. Made with molasses, brown sugar, and warm spices, these cookies are full of flavor, have the perfect texture, and the signature cracks in the top that molasses cookies are known for.

A white surface with seven stacks of molasses cookies, 3 to 4 high, with holiday decorations in the background.

When fall and the holidays roll around, I become a cookie fiend. I mean, I love cookies any time of year, but during the last quarter of the year, I might as well grow brown fur because I become a real cookie monster. This time of year, I love making cookies as much as I love eating them, I almost always make holiday-themed cookies. One cookie recipe that you’ll find me making again and again for the last four months of the year is molasses cookies. These cookies are so sweet and chewy, and they’re a classic winter and holiday snack that everyone always devours.

I’ve been making these cookies for decades, and people love them as much today as they did the first time I made them all those years ago. Hey, when you find a winner, stick with it!

Molasses Cookies

These cookies start with a simple dough that’s loaded with molasses and comes together quickly. I roll them with coarse sugar and bake them until they’re nice and golden, soft, and full of all the signature cracks on top that molasses cookies are known for. That’s all there is to it! The entire process only takes a few minutes (after the dough has chilled), and I usually make a double batch because everyone loves them so much.

A horizontal photo of a dozen molasses cookies on a white surface.

Why You’ll Love This Molasses Cookie Recipe

  • They are soft and chewy, and the molasses and brown sugar in the dough give these cookies their signature chewy texture.
  • They’re delicious with their warm, spiced flavor of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, and are known for their signature cracks in the top.
  • The cookies are easy to make and this delicious recipe is a family favorite holiday cookie recipe.

Molasses Cookies Ingredients

You’ll only need some basic baking ingredients to make these cookies, and you most likely have most if not all of them in your kitchen right now. If you don’t have anything, you’ll find it in just about 5 minutes at your local grocery store.

  • Granulated sugar
  • Butter
  • Molasses
  • Large egg
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Salt
  • Ground ginger
  • Ground cloves
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Optional: coarse sugar
A molasses cookie with a bite taken out of it held up to the camera lens.

How to Make Molasses Cookies

Making these cookies is a snap. The dough is simple to make, and the baking process is straightforward. It’s so easy anyone can make it with no problems.

Step 1: Combine the Wet Ingredients

Beat the sugar, butter, and molasses together. Then beat in the egg until light and fluffy.

Step 2: Add the Dry Ingredients

Mix in the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg until well combined.

Step 3: Chill

Cover the dough and refrigerate it for at least an hour or longer.

Step 4: Roll

Roll the cold dough into 1-inch balls and roll each ball in coarse sugar.

Step 5: Bake

Place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 6: Cool

Remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the cookie sheet for a minute. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

A few stacks of molasses cookies with a bite taken out of one of them and it is placed on top of two stacks.

Helpful Tips

  • Roll your dough into balls just before baking to ensure the dough is as cold as possible when it goes into the oven. That’s how you get those cracks!
  • Let the cookies sit for a minute on the baking sheet to allow carry-over cooking time to bake them perfectly.
  • Make sure your cookie dough is cold.

Variations

  • Try frosting these cookies with molasses buttercream frosting.
  • You can add butterscotch chips for a fun kick of flavor.
  • The coarse sugar is completely optional.

What to Serve with Molasses Cookies

These classic holiday cookies are best with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa.

A horizontal photo of two dozen molasses cookies on a white surface.

Recipe FAQ

What’s the best molasses to use for cookies?

Unsulfured molasses like Grandma’s or Brer Rabbit “Full Flavor” are the best bets for molasses cookies. Avoid blackstrap molasses. It’s too strong and bitter.

What’s the difference between gingerbread cookies and molasses cookies?

Gingerbread cookies are thinner and crispier than molasses cookies which tend to be thicker and chewier.

How can you prevent cookies from spreading thin?

Chilling the dough is the number one way to keep cookies from spreading too much. It slows the spread.

Can molasses cookie dough be made in advance?

Molasses cookie dough is perfect for being made ahead of time. The colder the dough is the better, so feel free to make the dough and chill it overnight until you’re ready to bake the cookies.

Can you freeze homemade molasses cookies?

Homemade molasses cookies freeze well and will last for up to 3 months when stored correctly.

A double collage photo of molasses cookies.

How to Store Leftover Molasses Cookies

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in single layers separated by parchment paper in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Try These Delicious Molasses Cookies Today

These molasses cookies are soft and chewy and loaded with sweet, rich molasses flavor. They’re easy to make and taste like the holidays in every bite! If you love cookies, then you have to give these a try. Once you do, they’ll be your new go-to holiday cookie recipe. Make a batch and get ready to fall in love!

A three collage photo of molasses cookies.

More Delicious Cookie Recipes You’ll Enjoy

  • Cranberry Pecan Oatmeal Cookies
  • Hockey Puck Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Peppermint Brownie Bites
  • Christmas Sugar Cookies

Apple Walnut Oatmeal Cookies are loaded with little bits of apples and chopped walnuts, baked to chewy perfection, and drizzle with glaze. A delicious oatmeal cookie recipe the whole family will enjoy.

A white surface with seven stacks of molasses cookies, 3 to 4 high, with holiday decorations in the background.

Molasses Cookies

Great Grub, Delicious Treats
These molasses cookies are easy to make, are so soft and chewy, and are the perfect holiday cookie recipe everyone will enjoy. They are great for cookie exchange parties, potlucks, or as addition to the dessert menu during the holidays.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Chill Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 Cookies
Calories 139 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup butter, softened
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Optional: coarse sugar, for rolling the cookie balls in

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375°
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat sugar, butter and molasses together.
  • Beat in egg until light and fluffy.
  • Mix in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, ginger, cloves and nutmeg together until well combined.
  • Cover dough and refrigerate for about an hour.
  • Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each dough ball in coarse sugar to coat.
  • Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and let sit for 1 minute before removing cookies and placing on a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Nutritional values are approximate.
 
Please note that these values can change with different brands and any modifications made to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements.

Nutrition

Calories: 139kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 190mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 188IUVitamin C: 0.004mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Molasses Cookies, Soft Molasses Cookies
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Molasses cookies on a white surface with holiday decorations in the background.
A close up of a cookie with a bite taken out of it.
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Welcome to Great Grub, Delicious Treats! Hello, my name is Terri and I'm so glad you stopped by. I'm a self taught cook/foodie at heart, mom to three kids, photographer and have a love for amazing food. I left my full time job of being a hospice admissions RN, which was super tough and extremely sad, and at times, very rewarding to be there for the patients and families to blog full time which I absolutely love. I hope you enjoy, and check out, all of the delicious recipes on my site while you're here! And don't forget to sign up to receive every new recipe right to your email. Thanks again for stopping by! :)

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Welcome to Great Grub, Delicious Treats! Hello, my name is Terri and I'm so glad you stopped by. I'm a self taught cook/foodie at heart, mom to three kids, photographer and have a love for amazing food. I left my full time job of being a hospice admissions RN, which was super tough and extremely sad, and at times, very rewarding to be there for the patients and families to blog full time which I absolutely love. I hope you enjoy, and check out, all of the delicious recipes on my site while you're here! And don't forget to sign up to receive every new recipe right to your email. Thanks again for stopping by! :) Read More…

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