Classic Ginger Molasses Cookies
So what’s the difference between molasses cookies and gingersnaps? While both have similar flavors molasses cookies are soft, moist and chewy while gingersnaps are crisp, snappier and drier. Personally I prefer the first because of those tempting textural attributes. These are a popular Christmas cookie that has stood the test of time and for good reason. They are a great tradition with their festive spiced flavors, a pretty sparkly finish, plus they are fun and easy to make. These old fashioned treats have a very robust, inviting flavor that you’ll crave time and time again! Truly a holiday staple.
Molasses Cookies Recipe Ingredients
All-purpose flour: I recommend using unbleached if possible, if bleached is all you have that will work in a pinch too. Baking soda: No substitutes here. This helps the cookies rise. Salt: Just use fine table salt or sea salt. Dried ginger, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg: I like these to be fairly well spiced but you can adjust the amounts based on how you prefer them. Some may prefer to up the cloves to 1/2 tsp for bolder flavor or cut ginger in half for milder flavor. Unsalted butter: If you only have salted butter on hand that will work too. If doing so only add 1/8 tsp salt to the flour mixture. Granulated sugar and light brown sugar: Granulated sugar is used for rolling for a nice sparkly finish and ever so light crunch (on the exterior) then the brown sugar is used in the molasses cookie dough. Molasses: I like to use Brer Rabbit full flavor (it has a good consistency too), but a milder option will work great as well. Vanilla extract: We double up to 2 tsp here for extra flavor. Egg yolk: I’ve found when making these that all you really need is the egg yolk (reserve the white for another use). This way you can include a few extra tablespoons of molasses in the dough for more flavor.
How to Make Molasses Cookies
How to Store and Shelf Life
Molasses cookies should be stored in an airtight container. Store at room temperature up to 4 days. Freeze up to 3 months.
Can I use blackstrap molasses?
Yes if you like the strong and slightly bitter flavor you can use that it here if preferred. Just reduce salt to 1/4 tsp.
Can dough be made with a hand mixer?
Yes. The cookie dough can be made with a hand mixer. When batter starts to get heavy as you add the flour just switch to mixing in any remainder by hand with a wooden spoon so you don’t burn up the mixers motor.
Helpful Tips
The consistency of each brand of molasses can vary. Therefor if dough is too soft you can refrigerate for 30 minutes before shaping if needed, if dough seems a little stiff you can flatten dough balls slightly before baking so they spread more. Work to keep cookie dough balls the same size so they finish baking at the same time. I like to use a medium cookie scoop or quickly drop and weigh out 30 grams each. I like these cookies best the second day. They become even softer and the flavors all just seem to meld so harmoniously together after a bit of resting. For even more softness you can add a slice of bread to the storage container with the cookies.
Molasses Cookies Recipe Variations
Add a little orange zest right to the cookies or add some to the granulated sugar to roll cookie dough. Try them with 1 cup white chocolate chips mixed into the dough, or dip in melted white chocolate after baking and cooling. Experiment with other spices adding those such as cardamom, allspice, or even anise or black pepper. Use coarse sugar instead of fine sugar for rolling if you want a crunchier exterior. Make cookies smaller (and bake for less time) if you’d like to get more out of the recipe. If you want to make them vegan you could try using vegan butter, then replace egg yolk with an additional 1 Tbsp molasses.
More Classic Cookies to Try
Gingerbread Cookies No Bake Cookies Peanut Butter Cookies Shortbread Cookies Thumbprint Cookies
