If you’re longing for something nostalgic yet completely irresistible, Soft Molasses Cookies are about to become your new obsession. These old-fashioned treats are impossibly chewy, perfectly spiced, and just sweet enough to satisfy every craving. Thanks to a generous splash of molasses, a handful of warming spices, and a light sparkle of sugar, each cookie is packed with deep flavor and sublime texture. Soft Molasses Cookies are the ideal companion for cozy afternoons, festive occasions, or whenever you need a taste of pure comfort.

Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pulling together a batch of Soft Molasses Cookies couldn’t be easier. Each ingredient plays a key role in creating cookies that are moist, aromatic, and tender, so let’s spotlight how every item contributes to cookie perfection:

Unsalted butter (softened): Gives the cookies a rich, tender crumb and creamy flavor as the base of the dough.
Brown sugar (packed): Adds deep caramel notes and ensures that oh-so-chewy texture everyone loves.
Unsulfured molasses: The star ingredient for signature flavor—dark, slightly bittersweet, and unmistakably cozy.
Large egg: Binds the dough for a soft bite and just the right structure.
All-purpose flour: Provides the necessary structure while keeping these cookies soft, not cakey.
Baking soda: Offers the essential lift and creates those beautiful crackled tops.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and makes the spices really pop.
Ground cinnamon: Infuses the dough with warm, sweet, spicy notes.
Ground ginger: Lends a zippy kick that keeps every bite interesting.
Ground cloves: Adds depth and a robust, aromatic complexity to the spice blend.
Granulated sugar (for rolling): Gives each cookie that irresistible sparkling coat with a subtle crunch.

How to Make Soft Molasses Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step keeps the cookies from sticking and ensures even baking, so you get those iconic soft, crinkled tops every single batch.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture looks fluffy and light. This not only creates air pockets for a pleasing texture but also helps meld the flavors right from the start.

Step 3: Add Molasses and Egg

Pour in the molasses and crack in the egg, then beat again until everything’s smooth and fully combined. The molasses will tint the mixture a rich, dark color, signaling that deep, classic flavor we’re after in Soft Molasses Cookies.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Mixing these dry ingredients helps distribute the spices evenly for balanced flavor in every bite.

Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry mix to the wet mixture, stirring just until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Overmixing is the enemy of tender cookies, so stop as soon as there are no dry spots left.

Step 6: Portion and Roll the Dough

Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and gently roll each one into a ball with your hands. Roll each ball in granulated sugar until coated—this step gives the cookies their signature crisp sparkle.

Step 7: Bake to Soft Perfection

Arrange the sugared dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes: the edges will set, but the middles should still look slightly underdone. This is the secret behind that dreamy, chewy texture!

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This short wait helps them set up just right, so you can savor every warm, soft, spiced bite.

How to Serve Soft Molasses Cookies

Garnishes

These cookies are gorgeous with their sugar-coated tops, but you can dress them up even more with a light dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of vanilla glaze, or a few festive holiday sprinkles. For a sophisticated touch, try sandwiching two cookies with a luscious cream cheese frosting.

Side Dishes

Soft Molasses Cookies pair perfectly with a mug of hot tea, chai latte, or a tall glass of milk. For a wintry touch, serve alongside fresh citrus fruit or a scoop of old-fashioned vanilla ice cream—the contrast in textures and flavors is divine!

Creative Ways to Present

Stack and tie a bundle of cookies with rustic twine for sweet gifts, or layer them on a holiday platter between clusters of candied ginger and cinnamon sticks for a showstopping dessert table centerpiece. You can even crumble them over yogurt or ice cream for a cozy, spiced sundae topping.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Soft Molasses Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Slip a slice of bread in with the cookies to help retain their delightful softness the whole time—they’ll taste just-baked every day.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! Arrange fully cooled cookies in a single layer in an airtight container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to three months. Let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying, and they’ll come back perfectly soft and chewy.

Reheating

If you’d like to enjoy your cookies slightly warm, pop one in the microwave for about 5-10 seconds. This brings back that fresh-baked texture and is especially delicious with a festive cup of cocoa or coffee.

FAQs

Why do my Soft Molasses Cookies come out flat?

Flat cookies are often the result of overly softened or melted butter, or baking on a too-warm sheet pan. Make sure your butter is just softened, not melted, and always use cool pans for every batch.

Can I use blackstrap molasses instead of unsulfured molasses?

Blackstrap molasses is much stronger and more bitter than unsulfured molasses. For a classic, mellow flavor in Soft Molasses Cookies, always stick with unsulfured.

Can I make these cookies gluten free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a reliable 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten free, so the result will still be perfectly soft and chewy.

Why do some recipes suggest underbaking Soft Molasses Cookies?

Underbaking just slightly ensures a moist, fluffy center that stays soft over several days. Letting them finish setting on the baking sheet gives you cookie-shop texture at home!

Can I add mix-ins to this recipe?

Definitely—chopped crystallized ginger, dark chocolate chips, or even toasted walnuts make wonderful additions. Just be sure not to overload the dough so the cookies hold together well.

Final Thoughts

Whether you make them as a special holiday treat or as your new anytime snack, Soft Molasses Cookies are pure, spiced bliss in every bite. If you’re ready for a cookie that’s chewy, flavorful, and downright nostalgic, bake a batch and share the magic—these just might become your all-time favorite too!

Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Soft Molasses Cookies are a delightful treat with a perfect balance of spices and sweetness. They are chewy, flavorful, and ideal for holiday gatherings or cozy evenings by the fire.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
1 large egg
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

For Rolling:

1/4 cup granulated sugar

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the molasses and egg until fully combined.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
Shape Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls.
Roll in Sugar: Roll each ball in granulated sugar and place on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
Bake: Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
Cool: Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For even softer cookies, slightly underbake and let them finish setting on the baking sheet.
These cookies freeze well—just thaw at room temperature before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American