These Molasses Cookies are the perfect combination between sugar and spice! They take under 30 minutes to make, they’re deliciously soft, and smell like the holidays! What more could you ask for?!
These Molasses Cookies, sometimes known as ginger snaps or spice cookies, are one of my favorite Christmas cookies. This Molasses Cookie Recipe is soft and spicy without being overly sweet!
Sugar and spice and everything nice is what makes these three-bite molasses cookies so special. I’m not sure how many people know this, but I work full-time as a psychotherapist. Savory Experiments is my own “therapy”.
One of the things my co-workers love about my second job is the bounty of goodies I bring them from experimenting in the kitchen. One of their all-time favorites are molasses cookies.
What is the difference between molasses cookies and gingersnaps? They are the exact same base dough with molasses and ginger, but molasses cookies are soft and chewy and gingersnaps are historically crispy and crunchy.
They cookies are technically soft molasses cookies, but you can also call them chewy gingersnaps.
I’ve always referred to them as molasses cookies due to the generous helping of sticky molasses, but some call them ginger snaps or spice cookies. This recipe is adapted from Better Homes & Gardens.
Through the years I’ve increased the amount of spice (and everything nice). I love that these cookies are only slightly sweet with a holiday aroma.
I’ll also share my biggest tip for making soft molasses cookies, take them out of the oven before you think they are fully cooked. As soon as you see those little crinkles starting to break, remove them.
Most people leave them in too long resulting in a dry, crisp cookie. Which isn’t a bad thing, just not the ideal way to eat a molasses cookie.
Tools for making Soft Molasses Cookies:
Insulated Cookie Sheet– Insulated cookie sheets allow hot air to circulate around the entire cookie, resulting in even baking.
Stand Mixer– I lived for a long time without one. My life was changed when I finally bit the bullet and bought one. Just do it and thank yourself later.
Sifter– Sifting makes all of your baked goods smooth and fluffy. No more lumps! I prefer a hand crank so I can switch directions and get more sifted through faster.
If you liked this Molasses Cookie Recipe, then you’ll probably like these other easy cookie recipes:
- Sugar Cookie Dough- The Best Sugar Cookie Cutouts Recipe!
- Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies
- Chocolate Bacon Jam Cookies
- Unicorn Hot Chocolate Cookies
If you are looking for even more dessert recipes, snag a copy of my Easy Dessert Recipes Mini-Cookbook. Available here for only $0.99, these easy dessert recipes are ready with less than 30 minutes hands-on time and are sure to please all your family friends. From no-bake to make-ahead, you are sure to find something you love!
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 3/4 cups sugar divided
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Sift together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Set aside.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl with electric hand mixer, cream butter, 1 cup sugar, egg and molasses until fully combined and slightly fluffy, approximately 1-2 minutes.
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Slowly stir in flour mixture until it is crumbly. Dough will not fully stick together until you start to roll the dough.
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Place 3/4 cup sugar into a small bowl. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and then roll in sugar to coat fully.
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Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. I prefer to use insulated baking sheets because they cook evenly.
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Cook each batch for 7-8 minutes or until they look just under cooked. You will see uncooked dough through the cracks. Remove from the oven and let sit on cooking sheet for 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack.
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If you've tried this recipe, make sure to come back and let us know how they were!
Quick and easy to make with just the right amount of spice. Love it!
Thank you!
I love molasses and I just don’t use it enough. Your cookies look so good and I love the crinkles on the top. Now, I would have thought that these cookies would be crunchy instead of moist. I like the idea of a soft cookie.
Me either! I started using it so much more I even topped my Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf with it for St. Patrick’s Day!