If you’re craving a cozy, nostalgic treat that warms your heart and fills your kitchen with enchanting aromas, then this Old-Fashioned Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These soft, chewy cookies are perfectly spiced with ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, delivering that classic molasses flavor that makes every bite utterly irresistible. Whether you’re looking for a comforting dessert to share or a sweet snack to brighten your day, these old-fashioned favorites never fail to delight with their tender texture and crackly sugar-coated tops.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, everyday ingredients come together in this recipe to create a cookie that’s packed with flavor, softness, and just the right amount of spice. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of chewiness, sweetness, and warmth.
- All-purpose flour: The base that provides structure and the perfect tender crumb.
- Baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent to help cookies rise slightly without losing softness.
- Ground ginger: Adds a bright, spicy kick that’s signature to molasses cookies.
- Ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and depth to the flavor profile.
- Ground cloves: A little goes a long way to enhance the spicy complexity.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Essential for that rich, creamy texture and moisture.
- Brown sugar, packed: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note for chewiness.
- Large egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure.
- Molasses: The star ingredient that delivers deep, rich sweetness and chewiness.
- Vanilla extract: Highlights the spices and rounds out the flavor beautifully.
- Granulated sugar (for rolling): Creates the signature crackly, sparkling cookie tops.
How to Make Old-Fashioned Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. Then, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a medium bowl. This blend of dry ingredients will give your cookies that classic old-fashioned spice and perfect texture.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Brown Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and packed brown sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This step incorporates air for a tender cookie and makes the dough wonderfully smooth. It should take about two minutes to reach that perfect consistency.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Next, mix in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until everything is fully combined. The molasses adds not just moisture but that deep, characteristic flavor, while the vanilla enhances all the other ingredients, tying the whole cookie together with a hint of sweetness.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until a soft dough forms. Taking care not to overmix ensures your cookies stay tender and soft rather than tough. Your dough should be slightly sticky but easily handled.
Step 5: Shape and Sugar Coat
Using a tablespoon scoop, portion out dough and roll each into a ball. Then generously roll each ball in granulated sugar to create that delightful crackly exterior. Place them two inches apart on your prepared baking sheets to allow room for spreading while baking.
Step 6: Bake to Chewy Perfection
Bake your cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, until the edges are just set and the tops develop a beautiful crackled look. Avoid overbaking to keep things soft and chewy. Let them rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling time is crucial to let the cookies finish setting without losing their softness.
How to Serve Old-Fashioned Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies shine on their own, sprinkling a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top right before baking can elevate their flavor even more by adding a sophisticated contrast to the sweet molasses notes.
Side Dishes
For a cozy snack or dessert plate, serve your molasses cookies alongside a warm cup of chai or spiced tea. The spices in the drink beautifully complement the ginger and cinnamon in the cookies. A glass of cold milk is also a timeless pairing that balances sweetness and richness.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re bringing these cookies to a party or gifting them, try stacking a few wrapped with a rustic ribbon or placing them in a decorated tin filled with parchment paper. You can even create mini cookie sandwiches by spreading cream cheese frosting or vanilla buttercream between two cookies for an indulgent twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These Old-Fashioned Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe cookies stay soft and chewy when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For extra softness, store them with a slice of bread—the moisture from the bread helps keep the cookies perfectly tender.
Freezing
You can freeze the dough balls before baking by placing them on a tray and then transferring to a zip-top bag or airtight container. Keep them frozen for up to two months. When you’re ready to bake, just place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and bake without thawing, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
If you want to freshen up stored cookies, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This brings back the soft, fresh-baked feel and lets the molasses flavors shine through brilliantly.
FAQs
What makes these cookies soft instead of crunchy?
The combination of brown sugar and molasses keeps the cookies moist and chewy, while the baking soda helps them rise gently without becoming hard. Slightly underbaking also preserves softness.
Can I substitute other sweeteners for molasses?
Molasses is key to the signature flavor and texture, so substitutions will alter the taste. You can experiment with dark corn syrup or honey, but expect a milder flavor and less chewiness.
Is it necessary to roll the dough in granulated sugar?
Rolling in sugar creates the iconic crackled top and adds a slight crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft interior. It’s a small step with a big payoff and highly recommended.
How long do these cookies keep their freshness?
Properly stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and soft for about a week. Using a slice of bread in the container can help maintain moisture even longer.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
To make a vegan version, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative and replace the egg with a flax egg or other vegan egg replacer. The texture may vary slightly, but you’ll still get delicious soft molasses cookies.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting and timeless about this Old-Fashioned Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe. It’s a simple, satisfying treat that’s perfect any time you want a taste of nostalgia wrapped in spice and sweetness. I can’t wait for you to make these and experience how this classic recipe fills your home with warmth and love, one soft, chewy cookie at a time.
Print
Old-Fashioned Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Old-Fashioned Soft Molasses Cookies are a delightful treat featuring a perfect balance of warm spices, rich molasses sweetness, and a soft, chewy texture. Classic and comforting, they are ideal for holiday gatherings or any time you crave a nostalgic homemade cookie.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Rolling
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agent.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes, creating an aerated base for the cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Combine Dough: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing gently until a soft dough forms, avoiding overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball. Then roll each ball in granulated sugar to add a slight crunch and sparkle to the cookie tops.
- Arrange on Sheet: Place the sugar-coated dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are just set and the tops develop a crackly appearance, indicating softness inside.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up slightly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, finishing their texture development.
Notes
- For extra softness, slightly underbake the cookies and store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain chewiness.
- The dough balls can be frozen for up to 2 months and baked directly from frozen, allowing convenient make-ahead options.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
