Print

Super Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe

4.5 from 110 reviews

These Super Soft Molasses Cookies are delightfully chewy with a rich flavor from molasses and warm spices like cinnamon and ginger. Perfect for holiday baking or any time you crave a soft, sweet cookie that melts in your mouth.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup molasses (dark or robust for deep flavor)

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Coating

  • ½ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and packed brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add the egg and molasses one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth batter.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which helps keep the cookies soft.
  3. Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking and improves the overall flavor.
  4. Preheat and Shape: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the chilled dough, roll each into a ball, then roll the balls in granulated sugar until coated. Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
  5. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops have a characteristic crackled look. The centers should still appear slightly soft as they will firm up after cooling.
  6. Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures the cookies firm up properly and prevents breaking.

Notes

  • For deeper molasses flavor, use dark or robust molasses rather than light molasses.
  • Do not overmix the dough after adding dry ingredients; this keeps the texture soft.
  • Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing too much spread and for enhancing flavor.
  • Rolling the dough balls in granulated sugar creates a sweet, slightly crunchy exterior that contrasts with the soft interior.
  • You can store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week for optimal freshness.

Keywords: molasses cookies, soft cookies, chewy cookies, holiday cookies, ginger cookies, cinnamon cookies