Grandma’s Super Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe for Sweet Comfort

Baking molasses cookies that melt in your mouth takes skill and the right balance of sweet and spicy ingredients.

These super soft molasses cookies deliver a delightful burst of warmth and comfort with every bite.

The rich, deep flavors of molasses blend seamlessly with warm spices, creating a cookie that’s both nostalgic and irresistible.

Each golden-brown morsel promises a soft, chewy texture that makes these treats utterly addictive.

The aroma of cinnamon and ginger will fill your kitchen, beckoning everyone near.

Rolled in sugar and baked to perfection, these cookies are a delectable treat that connects you to cherished baking traditions.

Get ready to savor a classic cookie that never goes out of style.

How to Make Super Soft Molasses Cookies at Home

• Ingredient Harmony

Gather all your baking essentials and create a cozy kitchen atmosphere. Mixing dry and wet ingredients separately ensures a smooth, delightful cookie experience.

• Wet Mixture Magic

Combine oil and sugar in a mixer, blending until creamy. Add molasses and egg, creating a luscious base that hints at the deliciousness to come.

• Dough Transformation

Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture. The key is a gentle touch – overmixing can make cookies tough. Aim for a soft, pillowy dough that promises tender cookies.

• Chill and Anticipate

Refrigerate the dough for a couple of hours. This magical pause allows flavors to mingle and ensures your cookies will be perfectly shaped and irresistibly soft.

• Oven Preparation

Warm your oven to a toasty 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment, creating a welcoming stage for your cookie performance.

• Cookie Crafting

Roll dough into delicate spheres, giving each a luxurious sugar coating. Space them generously on the baking sheet, allowing room to spread and dance.

• Baking Moment

Bake until edges are set but centers remain tender. Watch for that perfect golden moment when cookies promise melt-in-your-mouth happiness.

• Cooling and Enjoying

Let cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack. Store in an airtight container, ready to spread joy with each bite.

Spices That Boost Super Soft Molasses Cookie Flavor

• Spice Swap Sensation: Experiment with different warm spices like nutmeg or cardamom to create unique flavor profiles that transform these classic molasses cookies.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to develop and intensify before baking.
• Size Matters: Try creating mini bite-sized cookies for parties or larger bakery-style cookies by adjusting the scoop size and slightly extending the baking time.
• Texture Tricks: For extra-soft cookies, remove them from the oven when the edges are just set and the centers look slightly underbaked – they'll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet.
• Flavor Boost: Roll the cookie balls in raw sugar or add a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking to enhance the deep molasses flavor and create a delightful sweet-savory contrast.

Serve Super Soft Molasses Cookies in Cozy Settings

• Cozy Holiday Platter: Arrange these molasses cookies on a festive ceramic plate surrounded by cinnamon sticks and sprinkled with powdered sugar for a warm, inviting winter dessert display.
• Warm Beverage Companion: Pair these soft cookies with a steaming mug of spiced chai tea or rich hot chocolate, letting the warm spices complement each other perfectly.
• Dessert Presentation Magic: Stack the cookies in a rustic glass cookie jar with a burlap ribbon, creating a charming centerpiece that showcases their rich golden-brown color and inviting texture.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Wrap 4-6 cookies in clear cellophane with a rustic twine bow, making them a delightful homemade gift for neighbors, teachers, or holiday gatherings.

Storing Super Soft Molasses Cookies for Long-Lasting Softness

• Smart Storage Strategy: Keep these delightful molasses cookies in a sealed ceramic or glass container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain their incredible softness and prevent moisture loss.
• Cookie Freezing Magic: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer-safe container, and store up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a quick sweet treat that tastes freshly baked.
• Humidity Helper: Add a small piece of bread to the storage container to help cookies stay moist and soft. The bread releases moisture, ensuring your cookies remain deliciously tender throughout the week.
• Room Temperature Sweet Spot: Store cookies away from direct sunlight and heat sources like stoves or windowsills. Choose a cool, dark pantry or kitchen cabinet that maintains consistent temperature and protects the cookies' delicate texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 160 kcal

Servings: 25

Super Soft Molasses Cookies Ingredient Checklist

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie with a delicate crumb.
• Ground Cloves, Ground Ginger, Ground Cinnamon: Warming spices that create a cozy, aromatic flavor profile with deep, complex notes.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread, ensuring a soft, pillowy texture.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the sweet and spicy flavors, bringing out the richness of the other ingredients.

• Vegetable Oil: Keeps cookies incredibly moist and soft, preventing them from becoming dry or crumbly.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a delightful crisp exterior when rolled before baking.
• Molasses: Delivers a rich, deep sweetness with a subtle caramel undertone, giving the cookies their signature dark color and robust flavor.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together, adds moisture, and contributes to the cookie's soft, tender texture.

• Extra Granulated Sugar: Creates a beautiful crackly exterior and adds a sweet sparkle to the finished cookies.

Tools for Rolling and Baking Super Soft Molasses Cookies

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for beating wet ingredients smoothly and combining the dough efficiently.
• Medium-sized Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients together.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients evenly.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Baking Sheets: Provides even heat distribution for perfect cookie baking.
• Cookie Scoop or Spoon: Helps create uniform cookie sizes.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Plastic Wrap: Used for covering and chilling the dough.

Irresistible Molasses Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Grandma’s molasses cookies blend nostalgic comfort with rich, spiced sweetness from generations of family baking. Warm notes of cinnamon and ginger invite comfortable memories, while simple ingredients promise delightful results you can enjoy with loved ones.

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Ingredients

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• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar (plus extra for rolling)
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) vegetable oil
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) full-flavor molasses (such as Brer Rabbit)
• 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsps (10 grams) baking soda
• 1 tsp (2.5 grams) ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp (1 gram) ground cloves
• ½ tsp (1 gram) ground ginger
• ½ tsp (3 grams) salt

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Instructions

1. Blend Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, cloves, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl, creating a fragrant spice-infused base for the cookies.
2. Cream Wet Foundation: Beat vegetable oil and granulated sugar in a mixer until smooth and slightly aerated, forming a uniform wet mixture.
3. Incorporate Liquid Elements: Mix molasses and egg into the oil-sugar blend, creating a glossy, cohesive liquid that will bind the cookie dough.
4. Combine and Chill: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture on low speed, then wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours to intensify flavors and firm the texture.
5. Prepare Baking Setup: Preheat oven to 375°F with the rack positioned just above center, and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
6. Shape and Coat Cookies: Roll chilled dough into 1-inch spheres, generously coating each ball with granulated sugar for a sparkling, crisp exterior.
7. Bake and Cool: Arrange sugared cookie balls 2 inches apart on prepared sheets, bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
8. Store and Preserve: Keep cookies in an airtight container, maintaining their soft, chewy texture for up to one week at room temperature.

Notes

• Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerating dough for 2+ hours intensifies spice notes and improves cookie texture, making rolling and handling easier.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Rolling dough balls in granulated sugar creates a sparkling, crisp exterior that adds delightful crunch and visual appeal.
• Baking Precision Matters: Watch cookies closely during 8-10 minute baking window; they’ll initially puff up and then flatten, signaling perfect doneness.
• Storage Secret: Keep cookies in airtight container to maintain soft, chewy texture and preserve freshness for up to one week at room temperature.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg