Grandma’s Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies Recipe

Baking delectable ginger molasses cookies brings warmth and comfort to any kitchen.

These soft & chewy ginger molasses cookies deliver an irresistible blend of spicy and sweet flavors that dance across your palate.

Dark molasses adds deep, rich undertones that complement the zesty ginger perfectly.

Fragrant spices infuse each bite with nostalgic memories of cozy winter afternoons.

The recipe balances classic ingredients to create a cookie that’s crisp on the edges and wonderfully tender in the center.

Freshly baked, these cookies promise to become an instant favorite for anyone who loves traditional, heartwarming treats.

How To Prep And Store Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

• Quick Cooling Strategy: Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes to stabilize structure before transferring to wire racks, preventing potential crumbling during movement.
• Airtight Container Storage: Keep cookies in sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days, layering between parchment paper to maintain soft texture and prevent sticking.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, store in freezer-safe bag for 2-3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough up to 3 days before baking, refrigerate in sealed container. Allow dough to soften at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before scooping and baking for best results.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 23

What You Need For Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

• Butter: Softened butter adds rich, creamy texture and helps create a tender cookie base with deep flavor complexity.
• Brown Sugar: Provides moisture, caramel-like sweetness, and contributes to the chewy soft texture of the cookies.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and helps create a smooth, cohesive cookie dough with better structure.
• Molasses: Delivers intense, deep sweetness with a robust, slightly bitter undertone that defines the classic ginger cookie flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the fundamental structure of the cookie, ensuring proper texture and hold.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread, creating a light and tender crumb.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Ground Ginger: Delivers warm, zesty kick and authentic spice profile characteristic of classic molasses cookies.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, sweet depth and complements the ginger's intensity.
• Ground Cloves: Provides a bold, aromatic warmth that intensifies the cookie's complex flavor.
• Nutmeg: Optional spice that introduces subtle, nuanced warmth and complexity.
• Granulated Sugar: Creates a delightful crisp exterior and adds sparkly, sweet finishing touch to each cookie.

Kitchen Items To Make Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, then combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
• Cookie scoop or tablespoon: Perfect for creating uniform cookie sizes and ensuring even baking.
• Whisk: Key for blending dry ingredients like flour, spices, and baking soda without lumps.
• Baking sheets: Crucial for baking cookies evenly and creating that soft, chewy texture.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.

How To Bake Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the kitchen with a toasty 350F environment. Protect your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

• Butter and Sugar Romance

Blend softened butter and brown sugar until they become a fluffy, creamy dream. This process creates the magical foundation of your cookies.

• Liquid Magic

Introduce an egg and molasses to your butter mixture, stirring until they dance together in perfect harmony.

• Dry Ingredient Symphony

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, warming spices like ginger and cinnamon. These ingredients will bring cozy warmth to your cookies.

• Dough Creation

Gently fold dry ingredients into your wet mixture. Mix just until everything comes together – no need for aggressive stirring.

• Cookie Transformation

Roll dough into delightful little balls, then coat them in sparkling sugar. Arrange these sweet gems on your prepared baking sheets, giving them room to spread.

• Baking Moment

Slide your cookie tray into the oven. Watch for golden edges and slightly soft centers – around 8-10 minutes of baking magic.

• Cooling Celebration

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Enjoy the incredible aroma filling your kitchen.

Extra Tips For Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

• Ginger Molasses Cookies Pro Tips & Variations
• Butter Temperature Trick: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for perfect cookie texture. Leave it at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before starting.
• Spice Intensity Booster: Freshly ground spices will give a more robust and vibrant flavor compared to pre-ground spices. Grind whole spices just before mixing for maximum taste.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Add 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum to improve texture and binding.
• Vegan Transformation: Replace butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and select a plant-based molasses for a completely dairy-free version.
• Storage Magic: These cookies stay soft for 5-7 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Add a slice of bread to the container to maintain moisture and prevent hardening.

How To Plate Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

• Holiday Cookie Platter Magic: Create a festive display with these ginger molasses cookies alongside sugar cookies and snickerdoodles for a stunning dessert presentation.
• Cozy Afternoon Pairing: Serve warm cookies with a steaming mug of chai tea or hot apple cider to elevate the spicy-sweet flavor profile and create a comforting treat.
• Ice Cream Sandwich Delight: Sandwich a scoop of vanilla bean or cinnamon ice cream between two cooled cookies for an indulgent dessert that combines warm spices with cool creaminess.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine or place in decorative holiday tins for a homemade gift that will make friends and family smile.

Warm Ginger Molasses Cookies

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4.9 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Ginger molasses cookies blend rich warmth from traditional New England baking with classic spice notes. Comforting aromas and deep caramel undertones invite home bakers to explore this classic winter treat.

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Ingredients

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• 1 large egg
• ¾ cup (170 g or 6 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g or 7 oz) packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml or 2 fl oz) molasses
• 2 ¼ cups (280 g or 10 oz) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsps ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ cup (50 g or 1.75 oz) granulated sugar (for rolling)

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Position the oven rack to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats for even cookie baking.
2. Creaming Foundation: Whip butter and brown sugar into a fluffy, light mixture, creating a smooth base that serves as the cookie’s fundamental structure.
3. Liquid Integration: Blend egg and molasses into the creamed mixture until a uniform, glossy texture emerges, incorporating deep, complex flavors.
4. Dry Ingredient Assembly: Sift together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt, forming a harmonious spice blend that will define the cookie’s character.
5. Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, maintaining a delicate touch to preserve the dough’s tender consistency and prevent overworking.
6. Coating and Shaping: Form uniform dough balls, roll generously in granulated sugar to create a sparkling exterior, and arrange on prepared baking sheets with ample spacing.
7. Baking Transformation: Bake for 8-10 minutes, targeting edges with subtle firmness while keeping centers slightly underdone – the cookies will continue setting during cooling and develop their signature soft texture.
8. Cooling Process: Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to complete their textural refinement, ensuring a perfectly chewy result.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for optimal cookie texture and even mixing.
• Spice Intensity Control: Adjust spice quantities to personal preference, keeping the core ginger-molasses flavor balanced and not overwhelming.
• Sugar Rolling Technique: Use granulated sugar generously when rolling dough balls to create a crisp, sparkling exterior that adds delightful crunch and visual appeal.
• Avoid Overbaking: Watch cookies closely during last 2-3 minutes of baking; they should look slightly underdone in center to guarantee soft, chewy final texture when cooled.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg