The holiday season is here, and what better way to celebrate than by filling your home with the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked molasses cookies? These soft and chewy ginger molasses cookies are packed with delightful spices, making them the perfect easy Christmas cookies.

Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a novice in the kitchen, get ready to create the best soft and chewy molasses cookies that will impress your family and friends.

Looking for more delicious Christmas Cookies? Try our Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies and our classic Peanut Butter Blossoms.

How to Make Molasses Cookies

Soft Molasses Cookies: Key Ingredients

Before we dive into the baking process, let’s make sure we have all the ingredients at hand. Here’s what you’ll need:

2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
2 teaspoons of baking soda
2 teaspoons of ground ginger
1 and 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon of salt
3/4 cup of unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup of packed light or dark brown sugar
1/4 cup of granulated sugar
1/3 cup of unsulphured or dark molasses (not blackstrap; Grandma’s brand is a great choice)
1 large egg (at room temperature)
2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup of granulated or coarse sugar (for rolling)

Now that we’ve gathered our molasses cookies ingredients, it’s time to embark on our baking adventure.

Mixing and Prepping

Whisking the Dry Ingredients

Start by grabbing a bowl, then whisk together the following dry ingredients:

2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons of baking soda
2 teaspoons of ground ginger
1 and 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon of salt

This step ensures that your spices are evenly distributed and ready to infuse your molasses cookies with that delightful flavor.

Creaming the Wet Ingredients

In a separate, large bowl, it’s time to work some magic. Beat together the following ingredients until they become a creamy and cohesive mixture:

3/4 cup of unsalted butter (softened)
3/4 cup of packed light or dark brown sugar
1/4 cup of granulated sugar
1/3 cup of unsulphured or dark molasses

This creamy mixture is the foundation of your cookies and should take about 2 minutes of mixing to achieve that perfect consistency.

Adding the Final Touches to your Molasses Cookies

Now, let’s introduce the remaining ingredients to the party:

1 large egg (at room temperature)
2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract

Add these to your wet mixture and beat for about 1 more minute. Don’t forget to scrape the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure everything is well combined. These final touches infuse your ginger molasses cookies with that irresistible aroma and a hint of vanilla sweetness.

Combining Wet and Dry

With your wet ingredients well blended, it’s time to slowly incorporate your dry ingredients. Set your stand mixer to low speed and gently mix until everything comes together. Your dough will be slightly sticky, which is exactly what we’re aiming for.

Chilling and Prepping for Baking

Molasses Cookies Chilling Phase

Now that your dough is ready, it’s essential to let it chill. Cover it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or you can leave it for up to 2–3 days. This step is key for flavor development and makes the dough easier to handle when you’re ready to shape your cookies.

Preheating the Oven

While your dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F. Additionally, line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Properly preheating your oven ensures that your cookies bake evenly and achieve that perfect texture.

Shaping and Baking

Preparing the Dough

Once your dough has completed its chill session, it’s time to bring it back to room temperature. If it’s been in the fridge for more than 2 hours, let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This step ensures that your cookies will spread properly in the oven.

Shaping the Cookies

Now comes the fun part—shaping your cookies! Roll the cookie dough into 1 tablespoon-sized balls. To add a touch of sweetness and texture to your chewy molasses cookies, coat each ball with granulated sugar. Place them on your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 3 inches of space between each cookie to allow for expansion during baking.

Baking to Perfection

Slide your baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 9–11 minutes or until the edges are set. Keep an eye on them; you want those edges to be just right. If the tops of your cookies aren’t displaying those characteristic cracks, gently tap the baking sheet on the counter 2–3 times. This helps the warm cookies spread out and develop the desired texture.

How to Store Molasses Cookies

Cooling and Storing Ginger Molasses Cookies

Once your cookies are done baking, resist the urge to devour them right away! Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes; this helps them set and develop that perfect chewy texture. Afterward, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Now, you’re ready to enjoy your homemade soft and chewy molasses cookies.

Storing Your Creations

If you manage not to eat them all at once, you’ll want to know how to store your molasses cookies. Simply keep them covered at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 1 week. However, we have a feeling they’ll disappear much sooner than that!

Tips and Tricks for Baking Perfect Molasses Cookies

Choosing the Right Molasses

When selecting molasses for your cookies, opt for unsulphured or dark molasses (not blackstrap). Brands like Grandma’s work well, offering the right balance of flavor and sweetness.

Room Temperature Ingredients

Ensure that your egg is at room temperature before adding it to your dough. This helps it incorporate smoothly and contributes to a better cookie texture.

Don’t Rush the Chilling

Resist the temptation to skip the chilling step. Allowing the dough to chill for at least an hour (or longer) enhances the flavors and makes it easier to shape the cookies.

To ensure even baking, use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to portion your dough into uniform-sized balls. This consistency is key to achieving perfectly baked cookies.

How to Make the Molasses Cookies Crack

If your cookies don’t develop those desirable cracks on top during baking, a gentle tap of the baking sheet on the counter can work wonders.

Best Molasses Cookies Recipe

I’m going to maintain that this is the best chewy molasses cookies recipe. They are super soft, loaded with spicy holiday flavor, and perfectly sweet. I hope your family loves them as much as mine does!