Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft and chewy texture that stays fresh for days
• Rich molasses flavor without being overly sweet
• Perfectly spiced with ginger, cinnamon, and cloves
• Beautiful crackled tops rolled in sugar
• Easy to make with simple ingredients
• Great for holiday cookie exchanges and gifting
• Freezer-friendly dough and baked cookies

What Are Molasses Cookies?

Molasses cookies are classic spiced cookies made with molasses, warm spices, butter, and brown sugar. They originated from old-fashioned American baking traditions and became especially popular during the holidays because spices like ginger and cinnamon pair beautifully with the deep caramel flavor of molasses.

Soft molasses cookies are often confused with gingerbread cookies or ginger snaps. Gingerbread is typically firmer and rolled out for cutting shapes, while ginger snaps are crisp and crunchy. Molasses cookies fall perfectly in the middle with soft centers and slightly crisp edges.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All-Purpose Flour

Provides structure while keeping the cookies tender.

Baking Soda

Helps the cookies rise and creates those beautiful crinkled tops.

Ground Ginger

The signature warm spice that gives molasses cookies their classic flavor.

Ground Cinnamon

Adds warmth and depth.

Ground Cloves

A little goes a long way and creates that nostalgic holiday flavor.

Salt

Balances sweetness and enhances all the spices.

Unsalted Butter

Use softened butter for the best texture.

Brown Sugar

Adds moisture and caramel flavor.

Egg

Binds everything together.

Molasses

Use regular unsulphured molasses for the best flavor. Avoid blackstrap molasses, which can taste bitter.

Granulated Sugar

For rolling the cookie dough before baking.

How to Make Soft Molasses Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

Mix in the egg and molasses until fully combined.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling prevents excessive spreading and creates thicker cookies.

Step 6: Roll and Coat

Roll dough into balls and coat generously in granulated sugar.

Step 7: Bake

Bake until the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft.

The cookies will continue baking as they cool, resulting in perfectly chewy centers.

Why This Recipe Works

The secret to the best molasses cookies comes down to the balance of moisture and spice. Brown sugar and molasses keep the cookies soft while chilling the dough helps create thick, chewy cookies with beautiful crackly tops.

Slightly underbaking the cookies is another key step. The centers should still appear soft when removed from the oven.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Molasses Cookies

Use Regular Molasses

Avoid blackstrap molasses because it can make the cookies bitter.

Chill the Dough

Cold dough prevents spreading and gives you thicker, bakery-style cookies.

Don’t Overmix

Overmixing develops gluten and can make cookies tough.

Roll Generously in Sugar

This creates the signature sparkling, crackled exterior.

Slightly Underbake

The cookies should look slightly underdone in the center when removed from the oven.

Measure Flour Correctly

Too much flour creates dry cookies. Spoon and level flour instead of scooping directly from the bag.

Make Them Extra Soft

Store cookies with a slice of bread in an airtight container to maintain moisture.

Storage Instructions

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.

The cookie dough can also be frozen. Roll into balls and freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag.

Bake directly from frozen by adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.

Variations

White Chocolate Molasses Cookies

Fold white chocolate chips into the dough.

Orange Molasses Cookies

Add orange zest for a bright citrus flavor.

Espresso Molasses Cookies

Add a teaspoon of espresso powder to enhance the richness.

Molasses Sandwich Cookies

Spread cream cheese frosting between two cookies.

What to Serve with Molasses Cookies

• Hot coffee
• Chai tea
• Homemade hot chocolate
• Vanilla ice cream
• Eggnog during the holidays
• A warm pumpkin spice latte

Tips for Holiday Cookie Boxes

Molasses cookies are one of the best cookies for gifting because they stay soft for days. Pair them with sugar cookies, shortbread, chocolate crinkles, and peppermint treats for a beautiful homemade holiday cookie assortment.

Their warm spices make them especially popular during Thanksgiving and Christmas baking seasons.

More Cookie Recipes to Try

If you love these soft molasses cookies, be sure to try these reader favorites:

• Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles
• Homemade Shortbread Cookies
• Shortbread Caramel Cookie Bars
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Cookie Dough
• Brown Butter Blondies
• Peanut Butter Cookies
• Oatmeal Cookies
• Homemade Sugar Cookies

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my molasses cookies spread too much?

The dough may not have been chilled long enough or the butter may have been too soft.

Can I make molasses cookies ahead of time?

Yes! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours before baking.

Can I freeze molasses cookie dough?

Absolutely. Freeze dough balls for up to 3 months.

What kind of molasses should I use?

Use regular unsulphured molasses, not blackstrap.

Why are my cookies dry?

Too much flour or overbaking can lead to dry cookies.

Can I make these cookies without cloves?

Yes, simply omit them or replace with additional cinnamon.

Are molasses cookies the same as ginger snaps?

No. Molasses cookies are soft and chewy, while ginger snaps are crisp.

Can I use dark brown sugar?

Yes. Dark brown sugar creates an even richer flavor.

Why are my cookies tough?

Overmixing the dough can develop too much gluten.

Can I make smaller cookies?

Yes. Reduce baking time by 1–2 minutes.

Do molasses cookies need refrigeration?

No, they can be stored at room temperature.

Why do my cookies taste bitter?

Using blackstrap molasses often causes bitterness.

Can I add chocolate chips?

Yes! White or dark chocolate both pair beautifully.

Should I flatten the dough before baking?

No. The cookies will naturally spread.

How do I keep molasses cookies soft?

Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely. This recipe doubles very well.

How long do molasses cookies last?

They stay soft for about 5 days.

Why are my cookies not cracking?

Your oven may not have been hot enough or the dough may have been overmixed.

Are molasses cookies good for Christmas cookie exchanges?

Yes! They are one of the most popular holiday cookies because they stay soft and transport beautifully.