Super Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Super Soft Molasses Cookies offer a perfect balance of warm spices and deep molasses sweetness, resulting in tender, chewy treats. Ideal for cozy afternoons or holiday gatherings, they’re easy to make and wonderfully flavorful.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
4. Step 4: Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Take care not to overmix.
6. Step 6: Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes to prevent spreading during baking.
7. Step 7: Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in granulated sugar to coat.
8. Step 8: Place the cookie balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
9. Step 9: Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops have a crackled appearance.
10. Step 10: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• Chill the dough to prevent cookies from spreading too much.
• Avoid overbaking for a soft, chewy texture with set edges.
• Use regular molasses instead of blackstrap for a milder sweetness.
• Add a touch of orange zest to the dough for subtle citrus notes.
• Try rolling the cookies in coarse sugar for extra sparkle and crunch.
• Mix in white chocolate chips or chopped nuts for added flavor and texture.
• Substitute part of the molasses with maple syrup for a unique twist.
• Make them vegan by using vegan butter and a flax egg.
• For a spicier cookie, increase the amount of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate for up to one week. Baked cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw before serving. Unbaked dough balls freeze well for 3 months—bake them straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use blackstrap molasses?

No, blackstrap molasses is too bitter for this recipe. Regular molasses provides the best flavor and sweetness.

How can I make these cookies chewier?

Add an extra tablespoon of molasses or brown sugar to enhance chewiness in the finished cookies.

Super Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 99 reviews

Super Soft Molasses Cookies are a classic treat featuring a blend of warm spices and rich molasses that creates a chewy, tender texture. These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy nights with a cup of tea, or as a sweet gift. The combination of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and brown sugar delivers a deep, rich flavor, while the molasses keeps them irresistibly soft and flavorful.

• Author: lea
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert, Cookies
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cookies:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: Using an electric mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Add Molasses, Egg, and Vanilla: Beat the molasses, large egg, and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar mixture until fully incorporated and smooth.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies soft.
6. Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 30 minutes to firm it up, which helps prevent spreading during baking.
7. Shape the Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls. Then roll each ball in granulated sugar until coated evenly.
8. Arrange and Bake: Place the cookie balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set and the tops are cracked.
9. Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• Chilling the dough prevents excessive spreading and maintains cookie shape.
• Do not overbake; remove cookies when edges are set but centers remain soft for the best texture.
• Use unsulfured molasses for best flavor; avoid blackstrap molasses as it is too bitter.
• For a citrus twist, add a small amount of orange zest to the dough.
• Roll cookie dough balls in coarse sugar for a sparkly, textured surface.
• Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them soft.
• Cookie dough balls can be frozen and baked directly from frozen; add 1-2 minutes to baking time.
• Room temperature butter and egg ensure smooth mixing and soft texture.

Keywords: molasses cookies, soft cookies, spiced cookies, holiday cookies, chewy cookies, baked cookies, molasses recipe