Easy Soft Molasses Cookies are chewy in the center, crisp around the edges and slightly sweet with a hint of spice. An easy recipe for holiday baking!
If you’re looking for an easy Christmas cookie recipe, try these soft ginger molasses cookies. They’re not as spicy as gingerbread, and they are super quick and easy to make!
A few years ago, a friend from the church we used to attend gave me her recipe for old fashioned molasses cookies. Up until then, I had never even had soft molasses cookies before, but one bite, and I was hooked!
Unfortunately, I somehow lost the recipe after one of our moves, and I couldn’t find one that produced the soft chewy molasses cookies that I remembered. I modified a recipe that I found on a jar of Molasses, and it was very close to the one I was looking for.
These cookies are firm around the edges but soft and chewy in the middle. You can definitely taste the sweetness of the molasses and a hint of spice from the cinnamon and ginger.
How to Make Soft Molasses Cookies
Start out by creaming the butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl. By the way, this is much easier if you let your let your butter soften up first!
Next, add the molasses and the egg. Then, gradually add the flour and the remaining ingredients.
The dough might be sticky, and if it is you’ll need to refrigerate it for a few minutes. If not, you can skip this part and go onto the next step.
Scoop up some of the dough with a teaspoon, and drop it into your sugar. And to make these spiced molasses cookies a little extra festive, I rolled them in a mix of granulated sugar and red sugar crystals.
Place the cookie balls onto a lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. You can line the cookie sheets with foil, parchment paper or silicone mats.
Then, bake the molasses cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. They should be slightly firm around the edges but soft in the middle.
You should also see little cracks and crevices forming in the cookies. It’s another sign that they’re ready!
I don’t add cloves to my molasses cookies, but I do add more cinnamon. A little extra cinnamon never hurt anyone!
Just like our favorite Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Bourbon Balls, these soft and chewy molasses ginger cookies are a permanent part of our Christmas cookie baking!
Best Molasses for Cookie Baking
Look for unsulphured molasses in the baking aisle. It’s sweet enough for baking, unlike blackstrap molasses, which is bitter and works well with savory recipes.
How to Keep Molasses Cookies Soft
- Don’t overbake the cookies. They get crispier the longer they bake.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container as soon as they are cool.
- Place a piece of bread in the cookie container. The cookies absorb moisture from the bread and stay soft — This really works!
Pin Image to Save the Recipe
May contain affiliate links. See disclosure for more information.
Easy Molasses Cookies Recipe
Easy Soft Molasses Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar for rolling cookies (may use less)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar with electric mixer, then add the egg and molasses, and mix until fully combined
- Mix in 1 cup of flour, then add remaining flour, baking soda, salt, ginger and cinnamon.
- Chill dough until slightly firm (about 5 minutes) If your kitchen is cool, and dough is firm, you can skip this
- Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfulls into granulated sugar, and roll until covered, then place on lined cookie sheet
- Bake for 8 minutes or until edges are slightly firm. Do not overbake
- Remove from oven, add more sugar or colored sugar crystals, if desired. Transfer to wire baking rack or another surface until completely cool
Notes
Nutrition
Post was originally published in Dec 2016 and updated 2019
My family loved these easy soft molasses spice cookies, and even my picky teen, who normally only likes chocolate, gave them a thumbs up.
If you like this recipe as much as we do, leave a comment or give me a shout-out on social media! Sign up to receive weekly recipes by email!
James says
Made these over the weekend and they were great. Easy enough for the kids to make, too!
Dee says
They really are super easy. Thanks, James!
Emily says
These look delicious! Can’t wait to try them soon š
Dee says
Thanks, Emily! I hope you like them. š
Amanda | The Chunky Chef says
Seriously one of my favorite cookies of all time!
Cathy Trochelman says
There’s nothing quite like soft molasses cookies at Christmas time!
Amy Stafford says
My family loves the flavor of molasses so these cookies will be a huge hit!
Jessica | The Novice Chef says
My hubby is OBSESSED with molasses cookies! He’ll LOVE these!
Lauren @ Hall Nesting says
I can’t believe I have never had molasses cookies! I can’t wait to try some. And there is nothing like losing a recipe – especially one that is perfection!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I am a huge fan of molasses cookies! They are a must for our cookie platter!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
molasses cookies are the best, aren’t they!?!? One perfect Christmas cookie!
Dee says
They really are. I think they’re right up there with chocolate chips!