Super Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe

If you’re dreaming of perfectly spiced, irresistibly pillowy cookies that practically melt in your mouth, these Super Soft Molasses Cookies are your new go-to treat. This recipe delivers everything you love about old-fashioned molasses cookies—a deep, warm sweetness, a hint of gentle spice, and that signature crackled, sugar-dusted top. Every bite is packed with cozy flavor and exceptional softness, making these cookies ideal for holiday platters, late-night snacks, or just-because baking sessions.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Super Soft Molasses Cookies rely on a handful of pantry staples, but every ingredient brings something essential to the table. The result is a cookie with rich flavor, perfect chew, and the most enticing aroma—let’s break it down:

• Unsalted Butter (3/4 cup, softened): Creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and lets the molasses flavor shine without added saltiness.
• Brown Sugar (1 cup, packed): Adds deep caramel notes and helps keep the cookies ultra-moist.
• Large Egg (1): Binds the dough, adds structure, and enriches the cookie’s flavor and color.
• Molasses (1/4 cup): The star ingredient for a rich, old-fashioned sweetness and that signature dark hue.
• All-Purpose Flour (2 1/4 cups): Gives the cookies their chewy body without being dense or cakey.
• Baking Soda (2 teaspoons): Lifts the dough to create those perfect cracks and a light, pillowy texture.
• Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Brings a sweet, warming spice that pairs beautifully with molasses.
• Ground Ginger (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a subtle heat and classic ginger cookie taste.
• Ground Cloves (1/2 teaspoon): Gives a deep, slightly earthy note that makes these cookies sing.
• Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances all the sweet and spice elements for a harmonious flavor.
• Granulated Sugar (1/4 cup, for rolling): Adds a sweet crunch and gives every cookie a sparkling finish.

How to Make Super Soft Molasses Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment and Preheat the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step not only ensures an easy cleanup but also prevents sticking and helps give your Super Soft Molasses Cookies their perfect bottoms. Having everything ready to go lets you move smoothly through the recipe.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and packed brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. Proper creaming not only aerates your dough for a soft texture but sets the stage for all the flavors to blend seamlessly.

Step 3: Add the Egg and Molasses

Mix in the large egg and the bold, dark molasses until there are no streaks left and everything’s beautifully blended. This not only enriches the dough further but brings that classic molasses aroma right to your kitchen—don’t be surprised if someone wanders in, led by their nose!

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. This ensures the spices are evenly distributed and the cookies bake up with perfect consistency every time.

Step 5: Mix Together and Form the Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring just until a soft cookie dough forms. Don’t overmix—this is what keeps your Super Soft Molasses Cookies perfectly chewy and tender. You’re looking for a dough that holds together but isn’t overly sticky.

Step 6: Shape and Sugar-Coat the Dough

Using a small cookie scoop or a spoon, roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Next, roll each ball in granulated sugar until completely coated—this is the secret to those sparkling, crackly tops that make these cookies so inviting.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Place each sugared dough ball onto your lined sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart so they have room to spread. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes; the edges should look set but the centers will still be soft. This little bit of underbaking is key! Let your cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes to finish setting, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely. Resist the urge to move them early, as this helps guarantee their irresistible softness.

How to Serve Super Soft Molasses Cookies

Garnishes

For a little extra flair, you can dust the cookies with a pinch of powdered sugar or top them with a drizzle of simple vanilla glaze. Some bakers like to tuck a few sparkling sugar crystals on top while the cookies are still hot from the oven for extra crunch and shine.

Side Dishes

Super Soft Molasses Cookies pair perfectly with a cold glass of milk, a warm mug of chai, or classic black coffee. For a holiday twist, try serving them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a bowl of cinnamon-spiced fruit for a homey dessert plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack them tall and tie them with a ribbon for an effortless edible gift, or pile them in a vintage jar for a cozy snack station. You can also sandwich a little cream cheese frosting or lemon curd between two cookies for a sweet, spicy twist on whoopie pies!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Super Soft Molasses Cookies stay chewy for days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. A simple resealable bag or cookie tin works perfectly—just keep them away from air and they’ll maintain their delightful texture for at least four days.

Freezing

If you want to keep cookies on hand for future cravings, freeze them either baked or unbaked. For baked cookies, cool them fully, layer with parchment paper in a container or freezer bag, and freeze for up to three months. If freezing dough, shape the balls first, freeze until solid on a tray, then store in bags—just bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the time.

Reheating

To revive that fresh-from-the-oven magic, pop a cookie (or three) in the microwave for about 8 seconds or warm in a low oven for a few minutes. This brings back the irresistible softness and fills your kitchen with that nostalgic, sweet molasses aroma.

FAQs

Can I use blackstrap molasses in this recipe?

Blackstrap molasses can be used, but keep in mind that it’s much more robust and bitter than regular molasses. If you love a deeply intense flavor, give it a try, but most people prefer the milder flavor of regular molasses for super soft molasses cookies.

Why did my cookies turn out hard instead of soft?

Overbaking is usually the culprit. For true Super Soft Molasses Cookies, pull them from the oven when the centers are just set and still look slightly underdone. As they cool, they’ll firm up to the perfect, pillowy softness.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The results are still deliciously soft and spiced—just watch the baking time, as gluten-free cookies sometimes bake a bit faster.

What kind of sugar is best for rolling?

Classic white granulated sugar is traditional and creates that lovely crackled effect, but for extra sparkle and crunch, try rolling the dough balls in turbinado or sanding sugar.

Do I need to chill the dough?

No chilling required! The dough is firm enough to scoop and roll right away, meaning you’ll be enjoying Super Soft Molasses Cookies within minutes. If you want to prep ahead, though, chilling overnight works wonderfully too.

Final Thoughts

Homemade Super Soft Molasses Cookies are a little taste of comfort, nostalgia, and holiday joy all wrapped up in one bite. If you’ve never made molasses cookies from scratch, this is the recipe that will win you over—give them a try, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself reaching for a second (or third!) before you know it.

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