Soft and Chewy Molasses Cookies are one of those treats I could probably eat every day for the rest of my life and never get tired of it. They are just SO perfectly spicy, chewy, soft and flavorful. It’s basically a Christmas cookie dream come true! You can also use them to make these Ginger Molasses Sandwich Cookies! Originally published September 28, 2018.
Table of Contents
- New Go-To Molasses Ginger Cookies
- What is the difference between molasses cookies and gingersnaps?
- Ginger Molasses Cookies Ingredients
- How to Make Chewy Molasses Cookies
- Molasses Cookies Recipe Notes
- How to Store Soft Molasses Cookies
- Ginger Molasses Cookie Recipe FAQ
- Never enough COOKIES!!
- Chewy Molasses Ginger Cookies Recipe
Parent fail of the day (year?): I just realized this morning that my kids don’t even bother waiting for me to yell “WE’RE LATE, RUN!!” anymore when they jump out of the car in the morning at school drop off. They just hit the ground sprinting as fast as they can, high-tailing it to class like that’s totally normal and expected. And for them, it is normal, because I couldn’t make it early to school drop off if my life depended on it.
My friend Emily over at One Lovely Life asked on Instagram the other day about what you’re GOOD at as a mom. I know that I’m a total failure when it comes to being punctual, doing awesome hairdos for the girls, and making sure my kids are not wearing plaids and florals together. But I am pretty good at making sure there are always freshly baked cookies around. We all have our talents, right?? What are you best at when it comes to parenting?
Look, see? Alive, clothed, and full of cookies. (They must be, why else would they look so happy?) What more could you possibly need?
New Go-To Molasses Ginger Cookies
Today’s recipe for Soft and Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies is from my brother-in-law Spencer, whose family calls them Molasses Crinkles. In my mind, crinkle cookies are distinguished by rolling in powdered sugar (like the classic Chocolate Crinkle cookies, which I’m posting a recipe for coming up later this month!) Molasses cookies, on the other hand, are rolled in granulated sugar before baking to get that perfect sugary CRUNCH when you bite into it, so molasses cookies it is.
There are lots of different recipes for Molasses Cookies out there, and many of them are alike. I posted this recipe for Soft Ginger Cookies back in 2012, which is pretty similar, but I think today’s Molasses cookies will be my go-to from now on.
What is the difference between molasses cookies and gingersnaps?
As I was researching the recipe and looking up similar ones, I realized that these Molasses cookies are nearly identical to Gramma Prudy’s Classic Gingersnaps, which is a legendary cookie in my husband Eric’s family. The differences? Butter vs. shortening, white sugar vs. brown sugar, and the amount of baking soda. And of course, the bake time.
Ginger Molasses Cookies Ingredients
Here’s a quick shopping list to help you gather your ingredients. See the recipe card below for the full ingredients and instructions!
- Butter-flavored Crisco
- Brown sugar
- Egg
- Molasses
- All-purpose flour
- Kosher salt
- Baking soda
- Powdered cinnamon
- Powdered ginger
- Powdered cloves
- Granulated sugar
How to Make Chewy Molasses Cookies
These delicious, soft molasses cookies take just 15 minutes to prep! Here’s a quick overview – don’t forget, the full recipe is down below.
- Combine Crisco and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and molasses.
- Mix 2 ¼ cups of flour into the sugar/butter mix, then add in salt, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Beat until combined.
- Cover and chill in the fridge for 2-3 hours.
- Shape the chilled dough into 1 ½” balls. Roll the balls of dough in granulated sugar and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake just until the tops start to crack.
Molasses Cookies Recipe Notes
Today’s tried-and-true recipe for Molasses cookies calls for all butter-flavored shortening and no butter. Now hold on, hold on, cool your jets, put away your pitchforks, all you butter-philes. Although I’m definitely not in the “shortening will kill you” category, I’m firmly entrenched in the “butter tastes better” category, so I use it in all of my cookies.
But there are two reasons I use all shortening in these cookies: 1) the cookies are spicy enough from the ginger and cinnamon that the butter flavor doesn’t have as important of a role as it does in, say, chocolate chip cookies. And 2) we want these cookies to PUFF. To get an effortlessly tall cookie, use shortening. It will never fail you!
If you want to swap the shortening for all or partial butter in this recipe, go for it! They will still bake up great! They just will be a little bit more like gingersnaps: flatter and more crisp. Molasses cookies are meant to be tall and puffy and soft dreamily thick in the center. That’s exactly what today’s recipe (as written) will give you.
The other big difference between molasses cookies and gingersnaps is the bake time. Molasses cookies rolled about the size of a walnut should not be baked much past 8-9 minutes. The minute that you see cracks forming on top of the cookies, take them out and let cool.
I am posting this recipe as the first half of another Christmas cookie coming your way soon. It involves these cookies and BUTTERCREAM FROSTING and I could not be more excited, because they are basically my favorite Christmas cookie of all time, and I finally perfected them. It really is the most wonderful time of the year!! (Christmas cookie time!) UPDATE! Here is the recipe for Ginger Molasses Sandwich Cookies with Buttercream Frosting. It takes these cookies to a whoooole nother level guys.
How to Store Soft Molasses Cookies
Leftover molasses cookies will last in covered at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to serve, thaw them in the fridge if frozen, then enjoy at room temperature, or warm them in the microwave.
Ginger Molasses Cookie Recipe FAQ
One of the classic characteristics of molasses cookies is the cracked top. What if there aren’t any cracks?? Here are some potential issues:
The oven is too cool. Make sure you preheat the oven before you add the cookies. It needs to be nice and hot for the cookies to rise quickly and then deflate.
Your baking soda is too old. The baking soda helps the dough rise high so that it deflates in the center and cracks. If the baking soda is expired, then it won’t serve its intended purpose. If it’s older than six months (or you can’t remember how old it is!), toss it and buy a new box.
You forgot to roll the cookies in sugar. The sugar on the cookie’s surface crystallizes in the oven and gives off heat, causing the water on the cookie’s exterior to evaporate. This dry surface is perfect for creating those signature cracks.
There’s nothing sadder than flat cookies. Here are some things you can do to prevent the spread.
Use fresh baking soda. While fresh baking soda is key for that crackle cookie top, it’s also imperative to the structure of the cookie. If it’s expired, the dough will spread.
Chill the dough. Don’t forget to let the dough chill in the fridge for 2-3 hours. It needs to be completely cold before you bake it. Otherwise, you’ll end up with flat, sad cookies.
Use cool baking sheets. It’s a good idea to have two baking sheets so you can let the first one cool while the second one is in the oven. You can also let a baking sheet cool down for a couple minutes and then rinse it under cool water if you don’t have two.
If the cookies spread a little bit too much, when you pull them out of the oven you can use a butter knife or two spoons to gently push them back in towards the center. Be sure to do this while they’re still hot!
If you really, really love molasses flavor (and since you’re here making these cookies, I’m going to assume you do), you can use dark molasses. Light molasses (really common to find in your grocery store, and what I used here) is also great and still imparts plenty of flavor. What you DON’T want is blackstrap molasses. It has a strong, bitter flavor and doesn’t belong in cookies.
The secret to chewy molasses cookies? The brown sugar! Brown sugar not only sweetens the dough, but the moisture helps create a super chewy texture that just won’t be achieved with regular granulated sugar.
Never enough COOKIES!!
Ginger Molasses Sandwich Cookies with Buttercream Frosting << my all time fav!!
Gramma Prudy’s Classic Gingersnaps << Like today’s recipe, but crispier and flatter :)
Chocolate Chunk Gingerbread Cookies << chocolate and ginger: amazing combo, right?
Nutella Stuffed Gingerbread Cookies << everything is better when it’s stuffed with Nutella.
Orange and Ginger Cookies with Chocolate Drizzle from A Family Feast
Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies from Well Plated
Gingerbread Cookie Rings from In Katrina’s Kitchen
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Chewy Molasses Ginger Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter-flavored Crisco*, room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 & 1/4 cups all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons powdered cinnamon
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons powdered ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon powdered cloves
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, for rolling
Instructions
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, add 3/4 cup butter flavored Crisco and 1 cup brown sugar. Beat well until smooth, about 1 or 2 minutes. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
- Add 1 egg and 1/4 cup molasses. Beat well, scraping sides, until fully incorporated.
- Add 2 and 1/4 cups flour, but don’t stir yet. Make sure you spoon the flour into the measuring cup so that it doesn’t get packed.
- On top of the flour, add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon and ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon cloves. Use a small spoon to stir all the dry ingredients into the flour.
- Beat well until just barely combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and make sure that all the flour is incorporated, but do not over mix. (or you will get tough cookies.)
- Cover the bowl and chill in the fridge for about 2-3 hours, until it is completely cold. Do not skip this step or you will get flat cookies!
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
- Add about a 1/2 cup sugar to a small bowl.
- Shape the dough into walnut-sized balls, about 1 and 1/2 inches across. Roll the dough in the sugar to coat completely, then place on a lined baking sheet with about 2 inches of space between each one.
- Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes, just until the tops start to crack. As soon as you see cracks, take them out! Keep an eye on them, because every oven is different. If you let them bake too long, they will fall flat after you take them out of the oven.
- Sprinkle with additional granulated sugar if you want, for extra sparkle.
- Let cool on the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. You have to eat at least one of these while they are warm, it’s mandatory.
Could you use coconut oil instead of shortening or would that change the flavour too much?
Hi Linda! I actually would worry that the cookies would spread too much with coconut oil. I’m inexperienced with it, so I can’t say for sure! Tell me how it goes!
These are the best!!! They are so good I make some for my family, then make more to give out as gifts!!! Never a disappointment!!!
Thanks Karen!!
Christie
Can you make them bigger? Like moom pies.
Hi Christina! Sure, make them as big as you like! Just up the baking time a bit and keep an eye on them. Enjoy!
Hands down…best ginger molasses cookie I’ve ever had. Better than my mom’s recipe…which is sacrilegious to even mutter! This is my new go to recipe…I’m making to hand out to my neighbors as a treat. Thanks for sharing!!
Oh no, don’t tell Mom!! Haha! I’m so glad you like the recipe Melissa! It’s a good one for passing to neighbors, we always hand these out at Christmas. Thanks so much for commenting with a review!
I’m sending this recipe to my three daughters. I sent them these cookies in the mail – they are in college – and they loved them so much that they asked for the recipe. They are perfectly soft and absolutely delicious.
That is awesome Jackie! I remember when my mom would send me care packages in college. It’s the best. You’re a good mom :) So glad you all enjoyed the recipe!
These are the best cookies I have ever tasted. I love them, adore them,. they are so good. I am making them now again. Thank you for the recipe
I adore them too Domenica! I’m so glad you are enjoying the cookies, and thanks for reviewing!
Hi Karen! It’s Christmas Eve morning and I am making these to go with our lunch today. (I’m also making your cheesy potatoes and biscuit egg bake for tomorrow.) I just have one suggestion (and I know it’s my fault for not reading all the way through first): if cookie dough needs to be refrigerated, could you put a note of that at the beginning of the recipe? I was following along step by step and audibly gasped when I saw this dough has to be refrigerated for 2-3 hours! Lol! Thankfully, I’ve got the time today. ;) Thank you so much for sharing your recipes with us! I’m a big follower (obviously by all the recipes of yours I’m making today!!) and know that we would be friends if I didn’t live in Iowa. We have 4 kids, too. It’s a wild ride, but SO much fun! Thanks again, and Merry Christmas!!
I looooooove these cookies! I followed the directions to the T, and they came out perfectly. I like others would have eaten through the double recipe of cookies I made, but I promised to bring them to the staff at my Physical Therapy class. They loooooooved them too. Just the very best.
I do have a question, what do you think of my trying this recipe using All Spice. Does a person use All Spice for particular baked goods only?
Thank you for your great recipe. Jani
Hi Juliane! I’m so glad you loved the cookies! And what a lucky phsical therapy class :) And yes if you wanted to use Allspice I would replace half the cloves with allspice in it’s place. I bet it would taste great!
I just made these and they are very good. I am thinking about doing another batch and using 2 cups of flour and 1/4 cup of cocoa powder…what do you think???
Hey Tammy! I’m sure it would taste great! I like the ginger flavor to reign for my cookies, but a little chocolate never hurt anyone!
Made this cookie last year, among others, and everyone said it was their favorite. This year, it was the only cookie I made to include in goody bags. Unfortunately (or not!), I ate the first batch myself . . . Great recipe!!!!
Haha Pat, I’ve been there myself!! So glad you are enjoying the recipe! Thanks for commenting :)
Made these again this Christmas. SO. Stinkin’. Good! They’re like CRACK to me!! YUMMMM!! Thank you for yet another great recipe!! :) Merry Christmas!
Hi, is the clove supposed to be ground clove?
Hi Stephanie, yes ground cloves!
I just have to tell you how funny it was this morning looking for a good beef and barley soup recipe only to find one from “the food charlatan” that I’m going to try tonight. Then I proceeded to grab my go-to cookie recipe only to find it from, you guessed it! The Food Charlatan!!! I love it! Thank you so much!!! I can’t wait to try the soup and I love these cookies!
Ha, that is awesome Dena! Sounds like you know a good cookie and a good soup when you see it :) Enjoy the soup, it’s a reader favorite, and enjoy the cookies, it’s a family legend! Merry Christmas!
Hi! I’ve never made molasses cookies before. Do you think these would work with a Christmas tree cookie cutter?
Hi Jill! No, these are not cookies meant to be rolled out and cut with cookie cutters. They are drop cookies. Hope this helps!
Has anyone tried making a gluten free version of these? They look amazing!
I haven’t tried it Noelle! Cookies are pretty tricky when it comes to making them gluten free. My friend Sarah over at Snixy Kitchen is a master gluten free baker, so I recommend you try out her Ginger Molasses Cookies! (You can sub butter for the bacon fat.)
Thanks so much! I went ahead & made yours with 1/2 Bob’s Red Mill GF 1:1 flour and 1/2 regular flour (daughter has a sensitivity, I do not). They are so good! Amazing spice flavors, great texture. I am going to try all GF, I think it should work fine. Thanks so much! I’ll check out Snixy Kitchen too! Thank you & Happy Thanksgiving.
Oh awesome Noelle! I’m so glad they worked out! That is really good to know. I always use bob’s red mill too, great brand. Thanks so much for sharing! Happy Thanksgiving!
So good to know! I was perusing the comments to see if anyone had tried subbing gluten free 1:1 flour, so I’m super happy to see it worked for you. I’m going to give it a try!
I followed this recipe for soft and chewy ginger molasses cookies using shortening & baked for 10 min. The cookies stayed in the ball form and did not spread out at all. What did I do wrong?
Hi Wendy! Is it possible you packed your flour instead of spooning and leveling? It sounds like you had a bit too much flour.
Thank you for the response! I just realized that I forgot the baking soda too!! I’ll have to try it again and watch the flour and add the soda 😋
Oh yeah the soda will definitely help!! Let me know how it goes a second time around!