If you’re craving a cozy, warmly spiced treat that melts in your mouth, look no further than this Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe. These cookies boast a perfect balance of rich molasses flavor and tender texture, making each bite a delightful celebration of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or just indulging in a comforting snack, this recipe’s simplicity and irresistibly soft crumb are sure to become a beloved favorite in your home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe starts with a handful of straightforward ingredients, each thoughtfully chosen to build the perfect flavor, softness, and beautiful color. From the creamy butter to the warm spices, every element plays an essential role in crafting these cookies.
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened): Provides a rich, creamy base that helps keep the cookies soft and tender.
- 1 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for rolling): Adds sweetness and a subtle crunch when you roll the dough balls before baking.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture for a chewy texture.
- 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses: The star ingredient that offers deep, robust sweetness and its signature amber color.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: Creates structure, ensuring the cookies hold their shape but remain soft.
- 2 teaspoons baking soda: Leavens the dough for a light, tender crumb.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and subtle sweetness, enhancing the molasses’ flavor.
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger: Adds a spicy zest that livens up the cookie’s profile.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves: Provides a fragrant, slightly smoky depth perfect for holiday vibes.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the spices.
How to Make Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Mix Butter with Sugar
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper to keep the cookies from sticking. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup of sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—this step is crucial for that melt-in-your-mouth texture!
Step 2: Add Egg and Molasses
Next, beat in the large egg and the rich molasses until everything is fully combined. The molasses adds moisture and that wonderfully dark, spicy flavor that hints at cozy evenings by the fire.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, and salt. Mixing the dry ingredients beforehand helps distribute the spices evenly throughout the dough, ensuring every cookie bursts with flavor.
Step 4: Blend Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until a soft dough forms—don’t overmix here, as you want to keep the dough tender for that signature softness.
Step 5: Shape and Sugar Coat the Cookies
Working with tablespoon-sized portions, scoop and roll the dough into balls. Then roll each ball in granulated sugar to give the cookies a delicate sparkle and a slightly crunchy exterior that contrasts beautifully with their soft centers.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Place the sugared dough balls about 2 inches apart on the parchment-lined sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges are set but the centers still look a little underbaked—this is the secret to keeping them soft and chewy. Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an inviting presentation, sprinkle a pinch of powdered sugar or a light dusting of cinnamon on top right before serving. You can also dip half of each cookie in melted dark chocolate for a rich touch that complements the molasses flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of chai tea or a glass of cold milk. The spices in the cookies harmonize perfectly with the aromatic chai spices, while milk balances the sweetness for a classic treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies on a festive platter lined with fresh rosemary sprigs or orange slices for a seasonal flair. For gifting, stack them between parchment layers inside a pretty tin or box tied with a ribbon, making the homemade softness shine through beautifully.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Thanks to the moist molasses and butter content, these cookies remain enticingly soft for several days, making them perfect for enjoying throughout the week.
Freezing
These cookies freeze exceptionally well! Simply freeze the shaped and sugared dough balls on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, pop them straight into the oven—just add a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
To revive the soft texture of your cookies, warm them briefly in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a low oven (around 300°F) for a few minutes. This little trick refreshes their chewy goodness as if they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I substitute the unsulphured molasses with regular molasses?
While regular molasses will work, unsulphured molasses has a smoother, less bitter flavor which enhances the cookie’s taste. If you use regular molasses, expect a slightly stronger, sometimes more bitter, taste.
Why do the cookies need to be slightly underbaked?
Baking until the centers appear a bit underdone helps keep the cookies soft and chewy rather than crispy. The residual heat finishes cooking them gently during cooling, so the texture stays tender instead of drying out.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can try replacing all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, but results may vary depending on the brand. Adding a binding agent like xanthan gum often helps replicate the original texture of these cookies.
What’s the best way to get a spicier kick in this recipe?
If you want your Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe to have more zip, add a pinch of black pepper or increase the ground ginger slightly. This brings out the warmth in the spices without overpowering the molasses sweetness.
How long will these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies will remain moist and delicious for up to 5 days at room temperature, making them wonderful to prepare ahead or enjoy over several days.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so comforting about these Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Their tender, spice-scented goodness is incredibly easy to whip up, and the results are nothing short of extraordinary. Whether for your family, friends, or just yourself, give this recipe a try—you might soon find it becoming your go-to for every cozy occasion!
Print
Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these Soft Molasses Cookies, a classic American dessert perfect for the holidays or any cozy occasion. These spiced cookies combine warm flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves with rich molasses for a chewy, tender texture that stays soft for days.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a tender cookie crumb.
- Add Egg and Molasses: Beat in the egg and molasses until fully combined, forming a smooth, rich batter that forms the cookie’s moist base.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms, careful not to overmix to maintain tenderness.
- Form Cookie Balls and Sugar Coat: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball. Roll the balls in granulated sugar to create a sweet, slightly crunchy exterior.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers appear slightly underbaked to keep the cookies soft and chewy.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to finish setting before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they maintain their soft texture.
Notes
- These cookies stay soft for days and freeze beautifully, making them excellent for batch baking and gifting.
- For a spicier flavor, add a pinch of black pepper to the dry ingredients.
- To achieve a chewy texture, slightly underbake the cookies and store them in an airtight container to preserve moisture.
