Quick & Fluffy Super Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe

Molasses cookies bring warmth and nostalgia to any kitchen, connecting generations through their rich, comforting flavors.

These delectable treats carry deep roots in traditional baking, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.

soft, chewy textures define these beloved classics that melt in your mouth with each delightful bite.

Warm spices dance through the dough, creating an irresistible aroma that fills your home with memories.

Dark, complex molasses provides a deep undertone that converts ordinary cookies into something extraordinary.

The subtle hints of cinnamon and ginger elevate these cookies beyond simple desserts, making them a true culinary experience.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this timeless recipe with confidence and joy.

Super Soft Molasses Cookies Are Sweet, Spiced, and Incredibly Chewy

• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Softness: These molasses cookies deliver an incredibly tender texture that literally dissolves on your tongue, creating a delightful melt-in-your-mouth experience that sets them apart from typical crispy cookies.
• Spice-Packed Flavor Explosion: The combination of ground cloves, ginger, and cinnamon creates a warm, rich flavor profile that captures the essence of cozy holiday baking while delivering an aromatic punch in every single bite.
• Super Simple Baking Process: With straightforward ingredients and easy mixing technique, even novice bakers can master these cookies quickly, making them perfect for spontaneous baking sessions or quick dessert preparations.
• Make-Ahead Magic: The chilling step allows you to prepare the dough in advance, giving busy home bakers the flexibility to create delicious treats without last-minute stress, and storing beautifully for up to a week.

Baking Ingredients That Make These Molasses Cookies Shine

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and base for the soft, tender cookie texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates a light, airy consistency.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Ground Cloves: Warm spices that add deep, rich flavor to the cookies.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances the sweetness.

• Vegetable Oil: Ensures super soft and moist cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps with caramelization.
• Full-Flavor Molasses: Adds rich, deep sweetness and classic dark color to the cookies.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides richness.

• Granulated Sugar: Extra sugar for rolling creates a sweet, slightly crisp exterior on the cookies.

How to Make Classic Soft Molasses Cookies

Step 1: Gather Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Ground cloves
• Ground ginger
• Baking soda
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt

Whisk everything together until well combined.

Step 2: Blend Wet Components

• Vegetable oil
• Granulated sugar

Beat on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Incorporate Liquid Elements

• Molasses
• Egg

Continue mixing until the ingredients create a uniform texture.

Step 4: Create Cookie Dough

Slowly add dry ingredients into wet mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain soft cookie texture.

Step 5: Chill Dough

Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for minimum 2 hours. Chilling helps develop rich flavor and perfect cookie consistency.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Position rack slightly above center. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 7: Shape Cookie Balls

Remove chilled dough. Use cookie scoop or spoon to portion dough. Roll into 1-inch balls. Coat each ball in additional granulated sugar.

Step 8: Arrange Cookies

Place sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking sheets. Space them 2 inches apart to allow spreading during baking.

Step 9: Bake Perfectly

Slide baking sheets into preheated oven. Bake 8-10 minutes until edges set but centers remain soft. Cookies will puff up and flatten while cooling.

Step 10: Cool and Store

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire cooling rack. Once completely cooled, store in airtight container at room temperature. Cookies stay soft and delicious for up to one week.

Tips for Getting That Signature Chewy Bite

• Chill Like a Pro: Refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours to prevent spreading and maintain an incredibly soft, pillowy texture during baking.
• Sugar Coating Magic: Roll cookie dough balls generously in granulated sugar before baking to create a delightful crackly exterior that adds extra sweetness and visual appeal.
• Don't Overbake: Remove cookies from the oven when edges are set but centers look slightly underdone, as they'll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet and remain wonderfully soft.
• Moisture Matters: Use fresh molasses for the richest flavor and ensure your spices are not expired to guarantee maximum taste and aroma in these delectable cookies.
• Storage Savvy: Keep cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain their softness and prevent them from drying out during storage.

The Best Way to Store and Keep Molasses Cookies Soft

• Refrigerator Storage: Seal cooled molasses cookies in an airtight container, layering between parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep at room temperature for maximum softness, lasting up to 7 days.
• Freezer Preservation: Pack cookies flat in freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining delicious texture and flavor.
• Reheating Method: Warm refrigerated or thawed cookies briefly in microwave for 10-15 seconds or restore crispness by placing in 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes until slightly heated through.

Drinks and Pairings to Enjoy with Molasses Cookies

• Brew Warm Chai Tea Pairing: Complement the spicy, rich molasses cookies with a steaming cup of chai tea. The warm, aromatic spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger in the tea perfectly mirror the cookie's flavor profile, creating a harmonious taste experience.
• Serve Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Contrast the soft, spiced cookies with a scoop of smooth vanilla ice cream. The cool, sweet creaminess balances the deep, warm molasses notes, offering a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that melts in your mouth.
• Enjoy Robust Coffee Companion: Match these cookies with a strong, dark roast coffee or espresso. The intense coffee cuts through the cookie's sweetness, while the rich, bold flavors enhance the warm spices, creating a classic and satisfying dessert combination.
• Pair with Spiced Mulled Wine: During colder months, enjoy these cookies alongside a glass of mulled wine. The wine's warm, festive spices and slight alcohol warmth beautifully complement the cookie's deep, molasses-driven flavor profile.

Variations That Add Nuts, Glaze, or Spice

• Spiced Maple Gem: Replace molasses with pure maple syrup for a lighter, more delicate flavor profile. Add a pinch of nutmeg to enhance the warm spice notes and create a subtly different cookie experience.
• Chocolate-Dipped Comfort: After cooling, dip half of each cookie in melted dark chocolate. Sprinkle with crushed pecans or sea salt for an elegant and indulgent upgrade that adds rich complexity to the original recipe.
• Ginger Crunch Sensation: Increase ground ginger quantity and fold in finely chopped crystallized ginger pieces into the dough. The added texture and intense ginger kick will transform these soft cookies into a more vibrant treat with a spicy punch.
• Gluten-Free Wellness Version: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same tender texture and maintaining the cookie's signature softness for those with dietary restrictions.

Super Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Grandma’s super soft molasses cookies blend nostalgic warmth with rich, spicy sweetness from her cherished American farmhouse recipe. Comfort-packed cookies invite you to savor generations of baking tradition in one delightful, chewy bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons (10 grams) baking soda
• 1 teaspoon (2.5 grams) ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon (1 gram) ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon (1 gram) ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon (3 grams) salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) vegetable oil
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) full-flavor molasses (such as Brer Rabbit)

Sweetening Ingredient:

• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar (plus extra for rolling)

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Instructions

1. Whisk flour, cloves, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl, creating a fragrant dry mixture that will form the base of the cookies.
2. Beat vegetable oil and granulated sugar in a mixer until the texture becomes smooth and slightly fluffy, creating a uniform wet foundation.
3. Incorporate molasses and egg into the oil-sugar mixture, blending until the ingredients form a cohesive, glossy liquid.
4. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture on low speed, stirring gently to prevent overmixing and maintain a delicate cookie texture.
5. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up for easier handling.
6. Heat the oven to 375°F, positioning the rack just above the center. Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
7. Extract chilled dough and roll into 1-inch spheres, coating each ball generously with granulated sugar for a sparkling, crisp exterior.
8. Arrange cookie balls on prepared sheets, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to prevent merging during baking.
9. Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for slightly set edges while maintaining soft centers. The cookies will initially puff up and then flatten during cooling.
10. Rest cookies on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
11. Store in an airtight container, preserving their soft, chewy texture for up to one week at room temperature.

Notes

• Chilling the dough transforms ordinary cookie mixture into a texture-rich, melt-in-your-mouth experience that intensifies molasses depth and prevents excessive spreading.
• Rolling cookies in granulated sugar creates a delightful crackly exterior that adds beautiful sparkle and provides a gentle sweet crunch contrasting the soft interior.
• Careful mixing techniques ensure maximum softness, with minimal handling preventing gluten development.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg