molasses cookies;

Originally posted October 26, 2015. Updated January 26, 2024 for content and clarity.

These warm, chewy molasses cookies are chock full of warm winter spices and have the perfect chew in every bite. That deep, rich molasses flavor is enhanced with ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for the perfect complement to morning coffee. These cookies have a nice crinkly top, and are sprinkled with a crunchy bite of sugar on top.

Also, I need you to know that the entire time I’ve been typing, I keep typing “molassess”.  I DO know how to spell molasses, but my fingers don’t seem to agree with my brain.  At least I can cook properly! But if I missed any words, you’ll have to leave me a comment so I can fix those pesky little misspellings.

These molasses cookies remind me of chocolate cookies that we used to buy from the store when I was a kid.  They were super chewy and soft and dusted with the same sugar on top.  The store-bought ones were a little chewier, but they also sat on shelves for a while. I actually can’t remember the name of them, but I can picture the red box clearly.

Don’t skimp on the raw sugar. That extra crunch makes for a perfect foil to the chew of each molasses cookie.

secret to success

But this recipe evokes the wonderful memory of chewy ginger and nutmeg. Don’t skimp on the raw sugar. I usually use turbinado sugar, also known as raw sugar. It has that earthy, caramelized flavor that pairs perfectly with these molasses cookies. But decorating or sanding sugar will work just as nicely. You want to avoid regular white granulated sugar though. It doesn’t hurt anything, but it won’t retain that satisfying crunch the way raw or sanding sugar will.

Sometimes I like to make these cookies ahead of time and pop them in the freezer. Just follow the instructions up until scooping out dough and roll them into balls, before you roll them in sugar. Freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a ziplock bag for more convenient storage.

Make these ahead of time and freeze! Great for last minute guests or a small batch sweet treat.

secret to success

Then, when you’re ready to bake, take out the desired number of cookie balls. Let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before rolling in sugar, and baking according to original instructions (8-10 minutes at 375°F).

This molasses cookie recipe is super quick and easy. I adapted it from the original recipe by Alison Roman here. I was looking for a quick and easy gift for some of the officers in my sorority. I volunteer as the Marketing Advisor to five marketing officers, and they work hard to make their chapter fun and keep the chapter oriented to philanthropy and service among other things. The new officers will be taking over soon and I decided last minute to make some of these molasses cookies. Quick and fast, and tasty!

But I have it on good authority that these molasses cookies were a hit! For last-minute gifts, I love making individual packages, and I’ll share my favorite way to do so because it’s so easy. All you need are sandwich bags, preferably those without ziploc. The ones that you just fold over, usually.

For an easy individual gift wrap, just grab a fold-over sandwich bag, some ribbon, and scissors. Cut the folds, add a stack of cookies, and gather the tops to tie with a ribbon! Perfect little packages.

secret to success

But simply cut the folds so you have one continuous rectangle. Fill with a stack of 3-4 cookies and gather the top. Tie it off with a ribbon and voila! Easy peasy, and each little gift looks extremely put together. You would have thought I planned it out.

secrets to success;

Want all the best tips and tricks to make this recipe a success? Check out the blog post above to find out more!

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more recipes;

Looking for other easy dessert recipes?

• Turn cookies into cake with this two-ingredient gingerbread icebox cake. A quick, overnight cake, with only two ingredients, can you find anything better?
• Some of my favorite holiday cookies include pecan toffee shortbread cookies and winter blizzard cookies.
• Too many ingredients in these molasses cookies? Grab a box of spice cake mix from the store, and get in on this three-ingredient spice cake crinkle cookie recipe. So many of the same warm winter flavors, but with fewer ingredients, these cookies are light and fluffy pillows you won’t be able to get enough of!