Get ready for a cozy, spice-filled treat that will fill your kitchen with warmth and sweet aromas—these soft molasses cookies are the definition of comfort. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, each bite is like a hug in cookie form. And trust me, these cookies? They’re melt-in-your-mouth soft and chewy, with that perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just because you deserve something sweet, these molasses cookies will definitely hit the spot.
Why You’ll Love Soft Molasses Cookies
These cookies are about so much more than just a snack—they’re about creating memories and enjoying the simple things. Here’s why you’ll love these soft molasses cookies:
Warm and Cozy: The combination of molasses and spices creates a rich, comforting flavor that’s perfect for chilly days or holiday baking.
Perfectly Soft and Chewy: These cookies have a soft, pillowy texture that’s just irresistible. One bite and you’ll see why they’re the perfect cookie to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.
Quick and Easy: These molasses cookies come together in just a few simple steps. You don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated techniques to make them.
Budget-Friendly: No need to break the bank for a delicious treat—these cookies are made with pantry staples you probably already have on hand.
Crowd-Pleasing: The blend of spices and sweetness makes these cookies a hit with everyone. It’s the kind of recipe that will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make these irresistible molasses cookies:
All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the cookie dough, giving it structure.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise to that perfect soft and chewy texture.
Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth of flavor to the cookies.
Ground Ginger: Gives the cookies that signature spice, balancing out the sweetness.
Ground Cloves: Adds a subtle, earthy spice that deepens the overall flavor profile.
Salt: Enhances the sweetness and spices, bringing everything together.
Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps create that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and gives the cookies a slight crunch on the outside.
Egg: Binds the dough together and helps create that perfect chewy texture.
Molasses: The star of the show! It adds that signature flavor and a slight richness to the cookies.
Brown Sugar: Adds depth and moisture to the dough, making these cookies extra soft.
Additional Granulated Sugar (for rolling): For that little touch of sweetness on the outside of each cookie.
(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This ensures your cookies bake evenly.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. This is your spice mix, and it’s what gives these cookies that delightful warmth and flavor.
Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step helps create a soft and chewy texture in your cookies.
Add the Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and molasses until well combined. The molasses adds such a deep, rich flavor, so don’t skip this step!
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix; the dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
Roll the Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Roll each ball in the additional granulated sugar to give them a slight sugary coating.
Bake the Cookies: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are cracked. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they’re soft when they come out of the oven.
Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy with a warm cup of tea, milk, or coffee!
How to Serve Soft Molasses Cookies
These cookies are perfect for a cozy treat any time of day. Here are a few ideas for serving them:
With a Hot Beverage: Pair these cookies with a warm cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. Their spice and sweetness are the perfect complement to your favorite hot drink.
As a Holiday Treat: These cookies are perfect for holiday cookie trays, gift boxes, or just for sharing with friends and family.
With Ice Cream: For an extra indulgent dessert, serve a soft molasses cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
Additional Tips
Chill the Dough (Optional): If the dough is too sticky to roll, pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes to firm up. This step is optional but can make the dough easier to work with.
Don’t Overbake: To keep the cookies soft, make sure to take them out of the oven when they’re just set around the edges. They’ll firm up as they cool.
Customize the Flavor: Feel free to add a little extra spice—more cinnamon or ginger—or even throw in some chocolate chips or chopped nuts if you like.
Make Ahead: You can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2-3 days. This makes it even easier to bake fresh cookies whenever you want them!
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use dark molasses instead of light molasses?
A1: Yes, you can! Dark molasses will add a deeper, more robust flavor to the cookies, but the texture and taste will still be delicious.
Q2: Can I freeze these cookies?
A2: Absolutely! Once the cookies have cooled, store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Q3: How do I store leftover cookies?
A3: Store your molasses cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They’ll stay soft and chewy for days!
Q4: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A4: Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to check the texture of the dough, as gluten-free flour can sometimes be a little more crumbly.
Q5: How do I know when these cookies are done?
A5: The edges should be set, and the tops should look slightly cracked. The cookies will firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they’re still soft when they come out of the oven.
Q6: Can I add chocolate chips to these cookies?
A6: Definitely! Chocolate chips add a great extra layer of flavor and texture. Just fold them into the dough along with the other dry ingredients.
Q7: Can I make these cookies vegan?
A7: Yes, you can! Use a flax egg or another egg substitute, and opt for dairy-free butter. The texture may change slightly, but they’ll still taste amazing.
Q8: Can I make these cookies smaller?
A8: Yes! If you prefer smaller cookies, just scoop smaller portions of dough and adjust the baking time to around 6-8 minutes.
Q9: How can I make these cookies chewier?
A9: To make your cookies even chewier, try adding an extra tablespoon of molasses or substituting half of the granulated sugar with brown sugar.
Q10: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
A10: Yes! You can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2-3 days. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months and bake the cookies as needed.
Final Thoughts
These soft molasses cookies are everything you need in a comforting, flavorful treat. With just the right amount of spice, sweetness, and chewiness, they’re the perfect cookies to bake and share. Whether you’re making them for the holidays or just a cozy weekend snack, these cookies will quickly become a go-to recipe in your baking repertoire. Enjoy every warm, spiced bite!
Print
Soft Molasses Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These soft molasses cookies have crisp edges and chewy centers, making them the perfect holiday treat! Made with simple pantry ingredients and no chilling required, they’re an easy and delicious addition to your cookie collection.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/4 cup molasses
- Coarse sugar, for rolling
Instructions
-
Preheat & Prep:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
-
Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and cloves.
-
Make the Dough:
- In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and molasses, mixing until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until fully incorporated.
-
Shape & Coat:
- Scoop 1 heaping tablespoon of dough and roll into balls.
- Roll each ball in coarse sugar and place on the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches of space between them.
-
Bake & Cool:
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops crack.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months or freeze unbaked dough balls and bake fresh when needed.
- Flavor Tip: For extra spice, increase cinnamon or ginger slightly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg