Ginger Molasses Cookies
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Ginger Molasses Cookies
This Ginger Molasses Cookies recipe delivers the ultimate holiday bake with a perfectly chewy texture and deeply spiced aroma. Made from scratch with warm ginger, rich molasses, and cozy spices, they are ready in under an hour. These cookies are ideal for your holiday baking tray, a comforting snack, or paired with a warm cup of tea.
The fragrance of ginger and molasses baking always transports me back to my grandmother’s kitchen during the holidays. I’ve refined her classic recipe over the years, deepening the spice blend to create a cookie that is both nostalgic and wonderfully complex. I love baking a batch to share alongside a slice of pumpkin pie or to enjoy as a sweet treat after a comforting bowl of ginger chicken soup. They are a cherished part of our family’s festive traditions.
Why These Ginger Molasses Cookies Are a Must-Bake
- Perfectly Chewy Texture: The precise baking time yields cookies with crisp edges and a wonderfully soft, chewy center.
- Deep, Warm Spices: A generous blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves creates an aromatic and flavorful experience.
- Simple & Rewarding: With straightforward steps, this recipe is approachable for bakers of any skill level.
- Holiday Classic: These spiced cookies are the quintessential addition to any Christmas cookie exchange or gathering.
What You’ll Need for Perfect Ginger Molasses Cookies
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for these chewy ginger cookies.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and achieve the perfect puff.
- Ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves: This warm spice trio is essential for the classic holiday aroma and flavor.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Creaming softened butter with the sugars creates a light and fluffy base.
- Granulated and light brown sugar: White sugar adds crispness, while brown sugar contributes moisture and a deeper flavor.
- Egg: Binds the dough together for the right consistency.
- Unsulphured molasses: Use a robust, unsulphured variety for the best, pure molasses flavor.
- Extra granulated sugar: For rolling the dough balls to create a sparkling, crackled top.
Ginger Molasses Cookies
Perfect chewy ginger molasses cookies with warm spices. Easy recipe makes soft, crackled cookies that are ideal for holiday baking and Christmas cookie trays.
Equipment
- medium bowl
- large bowl
- electric mixer
- whisk
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- baking sheets
- parchment paper
- plastic wrap
- shallow bowl
- wire rack
- oven
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2.25 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp ground cloves
- 0.25 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened (1 stick)
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 0.25 cup unsulphured molasses
For Rolling
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened unsalted butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and packed light brown sugar on medium speed. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the room temperature egg to the creamed mixture and beat until it is fully incorporated, about 1 minute. Then, pour in the unsulphured molasses and beat on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and evenly colored, about 30 seconds.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough; stop as soon as no streaks of flour are visible.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour. Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and allows the flavors to deepen.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the additional 1/2 cup of granulated sugar for rolling into a shallow bowl. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough, about 1-inch in diameter, and roll them gently between your palms to form smooth balls. Roll each dough ball thoroughly in the granulated sugar, then place them on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through for even baking. The cookies are done when the edges are set and lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly soft and puffed. They will flatten and crackle as they cool.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will firm up as they cool, developing their characteristic chewy texture.
Notes
Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much and allows the flavors to deepen.
Creative Ginger Molasses Cookie Variations
- Sparkling Ginger-Sugar: Add a teaspoon of finely minced crystallized ginger to the rolling sugar for an extra kick.
- Dark Chocolate Dip: After cooling, dip half of each cookie in melted dark chocolate for a decadent twist.
- Orange Zest Infusion: Add the zest of one orange to the dough for a bright, citrusy note that complements the spices.
My Pro Tips for Perfect Ginger Molasses Cookies
- Chill the Dough: Do not skip chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent excessive spreading and allow the flavors to meld.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature butter and egg ensures the dough creams together smoothly and evenly.
- Don’t Overbake: The cookies are done when the edges are set but the centers still look soft; they will firm up as they cool.
- Proper Spacing: Place dough balls at least 2 inches apart on the baking sheet to give them room to spread, similar to when you bake classic chocolate chip cookies.
How to Store Your Ginger Molasses Cookies
- Store: Keep cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain their chewy texture.
- Freeze: Freeze baked cookies in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
- Freeze Dough: You can also freeze unbaked dough balls on a tray, then store in a bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
- Make-Ahead Tip: The dough can be made and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking, making holiday preparation easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my ginger molasses cookies flat?
Flat cookies are often caused by dough that wasn’t chilled long enough or butter that was too warm. Chilling the dough solidifies the fat, which prevents excessive spreading in the oven. Also, make sure your baking soda is fresh for proper lift.
What is the difference between gingerbread and ginger molasses cookies?
Gingerbread cookies are typically rolled and cut into shapes, resulting in a crisper, snappier texture. Ginger molasses cookies are usually dropped or rolled into balls, creating a softer, chewier cookie with a crackled top from being rolled in sugar.
Can I use blackstrap molasses for gingersnap cookies?
I don’t recommend blackstrap molasses as it has a very strong, bitter flavor. For the best taste, use light or dark unsulphured molasses, which provides a sweeter, milder flavor that perfectly complements the spices in these holiday cookies.
How do you keep molasses cookies soft?
The key to soft cookies is not overbaking them and storing them correctly. Remove them from the oven when the centers are still soft, and once cooled, store them in an airtight container. The brown sugar and molasses will help retain moisture.
More Holiday Baking Favorites You’ll Love
- Cranberry Orange Cookies
- Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
- Sweet Potato Casserole
Why This Ginger Molasses Cookies Recipe Is a Favorite
With their warm spices, chewy texture, and nostalgic aroma, these cookies are a holiday baking essential. They are remarkably simple to make yet deliver the complex flavor of a time-honored tradition. I hope this recipe becomes a cherished part of your own family gatherings, bringing warmth and sweetness to your table.
