Molasses Cookies

4.6
(1,114)

These molasses cookies are soft and chewy. This is my mom's recipe and one of my favorites. They store well and can be frozen. Great for gifting during the holidays!

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A plate of molasses cookies served with glasses of milk
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Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr
Total Time:
1 hr 50 mins
Servings:
30
Yield:
5 dozen cookies

These soft and chewy molasses cookies are full of bold, spicy-sweet flavor. 

Molasses Cookies Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this top-rated molasses cookie recipe: 

  • Sugar: This sweet molasses cookie dough starts with white sugar. 
  • Butter: You can use melted butter or margarine, depending on your preference.
  • Egg: An egg adds richness and flavor. 
  • Molasses: Of course, you’ll need molasses! Make sure you use genuine molasses (not maple syrup or pancake syrup). 
  • Flour: All-purpose flour gives the cookie dough structure. 
  • Baking soda: Baking soda acts as a leavener, which means it helps the cookies rise in the oven. 
  • Spices: These molasses cookies are spiced with ground cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. 
  • Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor of the cookies. 

How to Make Molasses Cookies

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade molasses cookies: 

  1. Mix a cup of sugar, the butter, and the egg together. Stir in the molasses. 
  2. Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then stir it into the wet mixture. 
  3. Roll the dough into balls and roll each ball in the remaining sugar. 
  4. Bake until the tops are cracked and cool on wire racks. 

How to Store Molasses Cookies

Store the cooled molasses cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. Add a piece of white bread to the container to absorb extra moisture and keep them soft for longer. 

Learn more: How to Store Cookies so They Stay Fresh Longer

Can You Freeze Molasses Cookies? 

Yes! You can freeze the baked cookies or unbaked cookie dough balls. 

  • To freeze baked cookies: Allow the baked cookies to cool completely. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, cover, and freeze for about three hours or up to overnight. Transfer the now-frozen cookies to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container. Wrap in at least one layer of foil for extra protection. Freeze for up to three months.
  • To freeze cookie dough: Drop balls of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and freeze for about three hours or up to overnight. Transfer the frozen cookies to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container. Wrap in at least one layer of foil for extra protection. Freeze for up to three months.

Learn more: How to Freeze Cookies and Cookie Dough for Easy Baking

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“OH MY GOSH these are PERFECT,” raves rkgarlow. “Tons of flavor, perfect texture and chewiness… it’s the strong-flavored, sweet and spicy molasses cookie of my dreams.”

”I've made this many times and every single time they come out delicious,” says one Allrecipes community member. “They are simple to make and are great gifts.”

“These cookies were delicious,” according to Louise H. “Soft, chewy, and a great balance of flavor! I split the sugar and used half brown and half white! They looked and tasted great!”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 30 servings

  • 1 ½ cups white sugar, divided

  • ¾ cup butter or margarine, melted

  • 1 large egg

  • ¼ cup molasses

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons baking soda

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves

  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make molasses cookies

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Mix 1 cup sugar, butter, and egg together in a medium bowl until smooth.

    A bowl of melted butter, sugar, and egg mixed together

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Stir in molasses.

    A bowl of melted butter, sugar, molasses and egg mixed together

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, cloves, and ginger in a separate medium bowl; add to the molasses mixture and stir until well combined. Cover and chill dough for 1 hour.

    A bowl of molasses cookie dough

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). While the oven is preheating, roll dough into 1-inch diameter balls; roll each ball in remaining 1/2 cup white sugar before placing 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

    A parchment paper-lined baking sheet with balls of molasses cookie dough coated in sugar

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Bake in batches in the preheated oven until tops are cracked, about 8 to 10 minutes.

    Two parchment paper-lined baking sheets with baked molasses cookies

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Cool on wire racks. Enjoy!

    A plate of molasses cookies served with glasses of milk

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

1,848 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

120 Calories
5g Fat
19g Carbs
1g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 30
Calories 120
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 1g 4%
Cholesterol 6mg 2%
Sodium 179mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 1g 2%
Calcium 11mg 1%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 55mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.