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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Cream Wet Foundation: Beat vegetable oil and granulated sugar in a mixer until smooth and slightly aerated, forming a uniform wet mixture.
- Incorporate Liquid Elements: Mix molasses and egg into the oil-sugar blend, creating a glossy, cohesive liquid that will bind the cookie dough.
- 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.
- 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.
- Shape and Coat Cookies: Roll chilled dough into 1-inch spheres, generously coating each ball with granulated sugar for a sparkling, crisp exterior.
- 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.
- 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