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Old-Fashioned Molasses Cookies

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Donna Urso
Molasses cookies are one of the top ten favorite cookies in the United States. This old-fashioned cookie is a favorite because of its perfect balance of tenderness, chewiness, and flavor.

Perhaps you have memories of your grandma's delicious molasses cookies.  The scent of a molasses cookie is very inviting.  The combination of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves stimulates both your nose and tongue. Yum!

The Best Molasses Cookie Recipe

Molasses cookies with a soft center and cracked top.


If the memory of Grandma's yummy molasses cookies has stayed with you this recipe will delight you.  It is a traditional molasses cookie recipe with crinkly cracks on top, crisp edges, and a soft chewy center.  
These are sweet, aromatic cookies that pair perfectly with a glass of milk.  The addition of cinnamon, ginger, and ground cloves makes this a spice cookie with a mouthful of flavor.

Tips for Baking Old-fashioned Molasses Cookies

How do I get crinkled cracks in my molasses cookies?
Dip the tops of your cookies in granulated sugar.

Molasses cookies have a cracked top and chewy center.
The Baked Cookies

How do I get a soft chewy center in my molasses cookies?
Use vegetable shortening.  Don't substitute butter in this recipe.  Using vegetable shortening creates cookies that are tender and thicker. Cookies with butter tend to spread more and are thinner. That means they will be crispier.

Cream the shortening and brown sugar together well.  The creaming process creates air bubbles that contribute to a chewy center.

Do I need to chill the molasses cookie dough before baking?
No.  I never have the patience for chilling the dough.  

How do I get nice, round cookies that are the same size?
Use a cookie scoop.  Cookie scoops are an essential kitchen tool and are worth the investment if you love baking cookies.

Rolling the dough into ball results in nice, round cookies.

Scoop the cookie dough using a cookie scoop.
Scoop the Batter for Uniform Cookies

Can I use butter instead of vegetable shortening?
If you substitute butter for the shortening you will change the texture of your cookies.  Butter will cause the cookies to spread more, be thinner, and be crispy. You don't need butter for flavor in this cookie.  The spices are the flavor stars.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, I encourage you to double the recipe. Molasses cookies are a well-loved cookie at my house.  They freeze beautifully so it is easy to keep them on hand in the freezer.  

Are the molasses cookies soft or crisp?
If you follow the recipe as written the cookies will be relatively soft and chewy.  Bake these cookies at 375 degrees F for a crisp cookie.

Other Traditional Cookie Recipes You Will Love


Gingersnaps are another favorite cookie in the United States. Did you know molasses cookies and gingersnaps are essentially the same cookies?  The key difference is the length of time you bake the cookie.  Molasses cookies are soft while Gingersnaps are crisp.

Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting are always a hit with kids and adults.

These Date-filled cookies are my grandma's recipe.

Mexican Wedding Cookies are often baked as Christmas cookies but are too yummy to only bake once a year.

 
spice cookies, old-fashioned molasses cookies, molasses crinkle cookies
dessert
American
Yield: 48 (or 28 big cookies)
Author: Donna Urso
Molasses Cookies

Molasses Cookies

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 12 MinTotal time: 22 Min
A traditional molasses cookie recipe with crinkly cracks on top, crisp edges, and a soft chewy center.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Cream the brown sugar and shortening together in a mixer using the paddle attachment until combined. Beat in the egg and the molasses.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients except for the granulated sugar. Mix to combine.
  4. Using a small cookie scoop for uniformity, shape the dough into balls.
  5. Dip the tops, only, into the granulated sugar. Place on a greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart.
  6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until just set. You don't want to overcook these cookies.
  7. Remove immediately from the cookie sheet to cool.

Notes

You can make these cookies any size you like. Just be aware the cooking time will vary by size.

For a crisp cookie bake at 375 degrees F.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

71.73

Fat (grams)

3.37

Sat. Fat (grams)

1.34

Carbs (grams)

9.66

Fiber (grams)

0.20

Net carbs

9.46

Sugar (grams)

5.08

Protein (grams)

0.75

Sodium (milligrams)

66.84

Cholesterol (grams)

5.67

Similar Recipes

Crunchy, Spicy Gingersnap Cookies

Chocolate Chip Coconut Oatmeal Cookies

Grandma's Date-Filled Cookies

https://www.justonedonna.com/2016/06/sweet-aromatic-molasses-cookies.html
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Enjoy!

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 23, 2024 at 11:47 AM

    I added a smidgen of instant coffee and I am so pleased.. makes the molasses richer tasting

    ReplyDelete

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