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
Scale
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.
