Description
Soft Molasses Cookies that are perfectly spiced and chewy, baked to golden edges with a tender center. These classic cookies combine warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves with rich molasses for a comforting treat that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Rolling
- 1/4 cup additional granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and for even baking.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, and salt until well combined. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with 1 cup of granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the large egg, molasses, and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture until the batter is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until a consistent cookie dough forms with no dry patches.
- Shape and Roll Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll them into balls. Coat each dough ball in the additional 1/4 cup granulated sugar for a sweet, slightly crunchy exterior.
- Bake: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft and chewy.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set without breaking.
Notes
- Be careful not to overbake the cookies to maintain their soft texture.
- Rolling the dough balls in sugar before baking adds a lovely sparkle and slight crunch.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and soft for several days.
- You can substitute molasses with dark corn syrup for a milder flavor, but molasses provides the signature rich taste.
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
