Old-Fashioned Molasses Cookies

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 10 min
🍽 Serves: 24
★★★★★
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Old-fashioned molasses cookies are a timeless treat that bring a touch of nostalgia to any occasion. These cookies, with their rich, spiced flavor, are perfect for cozying up during cooler months or sharing with loved ones any time of year.

Ingredients for Old-Fashioned Molasses Cookies

Butter provides the cookies with a rich flavor and soft texture. Make sure it's unsalted so you can control the saltiness of your cookies. Granulated sugar sweetens the cookies and helps them achieve a lovely golden-brown color. The star of the show, molasses, gives these cookies their signature deep, rich flavor and a chewy texture. Egg adds structure and helps bind everything together.

All-purpose flour forms the base of the cookie dough, while baking soda acts as a leavening agent, ensuring the cookies rise properly. The trio of spices — cinnamon, ginger, and cloves — infuses the cookies with warmth and depth. Finally, a pinch of salt enhances all the flavors, rounding out each bite.

Tips & Tricks

  • For perfectly chewy cookies, don’t overbake — they should look slightly underdone in the center when you take them out.
  • If your dough seems too sticky, refrigerate it for 20-30 minutes before rolling.
  • Use an ice cream scoop to get evenly sized cookies every time.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies pair beautifully with a steaming cup of chai tea or hot apple cider. For a fun twist, sandwich two cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert. They're also great crumbled over a bowl of oatmeal or yogurt for breakfast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use blackstrap molasses?
Blackstrap molasses has a stronger, more bitter flavor compared to regular molasses. It might overpower the spices, so it's best to stick with regular molasses for this recipe.
How should I store these cookies?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for up to a week, but they never last that long in my house!
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, you can freeze the dough balls before rolling them in sugar. Just thaw slightly before baking, or add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

Old-Fashioned Molasses Cookies Recipe Walkthrough

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Get your baking sheets ready with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar. This step is crucial for creating a light and fluffy base, so give it a good mix. Once that's looking airy, mix in the molasses and egg until they’re fully incorporated.

In a separate bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Gradually add this mix to the wet ingredients, stirring just until everything's combined. You don’t want to overmix, or the cookies might turn out tough.

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. This is where the fun begins! Roll each ball in sugar for a delightful, sweet crunch on the outside. Arrange them on your baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, just until the edges are set and the centers still look a bit soft. Let them cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. Enjoy the wonderful aroma filling your kitchen!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and simple to make — perfect for spontaneous baking urges.
  • Uses pantry staples, so you might already have everything you need.
  • Soft, chewy texture that keeps well, making them ideal for gifting.
  • Warm spices create a comforting aroma and taste that feels like a hug.

Ingredients

3/4 cup of unsalted butter
1 cup of granulated sugar
1/4 cup of molasses
1 large egg
2 cups of all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons of baking soda
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 cup of sugar for rolling

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in the molasses and egg until well combined.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and roll them in sugar.
7. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are soft.
9. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

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