There’s something utterly charming about the scent of Soft Molasses Cookies wafting through the house, filling every corner with the warm embrace of spices like cinnamon and ginger. The moment you sink your teeth into one, you’re greeted with a soft, pillowy texture that feels like a hug for your taste buds. Imagine little gingerbread men smothered in creamy frosting, evoking memories of holiday baking with family or cozy afternoons spent crafting treats. These delightful cookies aren’t just for special occasions; they bring a sprinkle of joy any day of the week. With the crisp fall air and holidays around the corner, there’s no better time to bake a batch of these irresistible cookies. I can’t wait for you to experience the magic of creating these Soft Molasses Cookies in your own kitchen!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Soft Molasses Cookies
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Soft Molasses Cookies

So, dust off your mixing bowls and get ready to indulge in a festive classic that’s sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire. Whether you’re bringing them to a gathering or enjoying them solo, they’re bound to bring warmth and joy. Let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Ready in just over 35 minutes, these cookies are easy enough for bakers of all skill levels.
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of spices creates a lovely depth that dances on your palate.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The cream cheese frosting adds a fun twist, making them as cute as they are delicious.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for cozy snacks, holiday parties, or even breakfast treats—who says cookies aren’t breakfast?
Diet-Friendly Options: Adjust ingredients for easy vegan or gluten-free variations; everyone can enjoy a bite!

Ingredients You’ll Need

All-Purpose Flour: This forms the base of our dough; it gives structure. For a gluten-free option, try a gluten-free flour blend.
Baking Soda: The leavening agent helps the cookies rise and get that soft texture.
Salt: This enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness; don’t skip it!
Ground Cinnamon: Offers a warm, spicy touch that’s essential in molasses cookies.
Ground Ginger: Adds that classic ginger flavor; fresh ginger can be used for a stronger taste.
Ground Nutmeg: This spice adds warmth and an aromatic quality that complements the other spices.
Unsalted Butter: Brings richness. Ensure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
Dark Brown Sugar: Gives depth and moisture to the cookies; avoid substitutes with lighter sugar as they’ll change the flavor.
White Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp exterior.
Molasses: Key for that classic flavor and chewy texture; use a good quality dark molasses for best results.
Large Egg: This binds everything together; it should be at room temperature, so set it out ahead.
Pure Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the flavor beautifully.
Cream Cheese (for frosting): Provides a delightful tanginess that pairs perfectly with the cookies.
Powdered Sugar: For sweetness in the frosting, sift before adding to avoid lumps.
Brown Gel Food Dye: This makes your frosting look just like a gingerbread cookie, perfect for decorating.

How to Make Soft Molasses Cookies

Combine Dry Ingredients: Start by sifting together your all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Sifting ensures that there are no lumps and helps the spices blend evenly without clumping. Set this mixture aside for later use.

Mix the Butter & Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, and white sugar on high speed for about 2 minutes. You’ll see the mixture become light and fluffy, almost pale in color. This aeration is crucial for the texture of your cookies!

Add the Wet Ingredients: With the mixer on medium, add the molasses, the room-temperature egg, and pure vanilla extract. Blend until everything is smoothly combined. This creates a rich and moist cookie dough that is bursting with flavor.

Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid over-mixing; you want to keep your cookies soft and chewy, not tough.

Scoop and Roll: Using a large cookie scoop, portion out the dough. Roll each ball in granulated sugar—this gives your cookies a delightful sweetness and a bit of crunch. Place the rolled dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Chill the Dough: Before baking, place the cookie sheet in the fridge for 30 minutes. This chilling period not only firms up the dough but also enhances the flavors, helping the cookies stay thicker and puffier during baking.

Preheat and Bake: Preheat your oven to 350℉ while the dough chills. Once ready, bake one sheet at a time for about 14-16 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops look slightly cracked or puffed. For uniformity, use a large biscuit cutter to gently nudge the cookies into a round shape just after they come out of the oven.

Cool Completely: Allow cookies to sit on the pan for 10 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a cooling rack. This step is pivotal as they continue to bake slightly from residual heat, ensuring a perfect texture.

Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a clean bowl, beat softened unsalted butter on high speed for 2 minutes until creamy. Scrape down the bowl, then add room-temperature cream cheese and mix on high for another minute until well combined.

Mix in Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and the remaining pure vanilla extract. Mix on low to combine, then increase to high speed until it’s smooth and creamy. Set aside about 1/4 of the frosting before coloring the rest with brown gel food dye for a festive touch.

Decorate: Once your cookies are cool, use piping bags and Wilton tips to decorate. Create fun gingerbread men with eyes and buttons; get creative! Don’t forget to snap a picture before they disappear!

Storing & Reheating

Store your Soft Molasses Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For extended freshness, you can refrigerate them for about two weeks. If you want to keep them longer, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag, where they will stay fresh for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, simply reheat in a microwave for 10-15 seconds to bring back that homemade softness.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Be careful not to over-mix once you add the dry ingredients; this is crucial for maintaining that soft, tender texture.
Ensure that all ingredients, particularly the butter and eggs, are at room temperature; this helps them blend more easily.
For the best flavor, use high-quality molasses and pure vanilla extract.
If you prefer your cookies soft and just a bit chewy, check them at the lower end of the baking time.
Experiment with different spices; adding a hint of allspice or cloves can deepen the flavors!
Make the dough ahead of time and freeze it unbaked. Just scoop and bake whenever you have a craving.

These Soft Molasses Cookies are sure to become a cherished recipe in your kitchen. Not only do they envelop you in a delightful aroma while baking, but they also offer a wonderful opportunity for personalization and creativity. Whether you’re frosting them for a festive occasion or simply indulging in a sweet treat for yourself, there are endless ways to enjoy them. Don’t hesitate to experiment with flavors, shapes, and decorations!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures 1:1. This maintains the dough’s texture and flavor, allowing everyone to enjoy them without worry!

What type of molasses should I use?

For the best flavor, go with a good quality dark molasses instead of blackstrap. Dark molasses has a sweeter, richer taste that’s essential to achieving that classic Soft Molasses Cookies flavor.

How can I store the cookies to keep them fresh?

Keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, refrigerate for about two weeks, or freeze them for up to three months. Just make sure to thaw at room temperature before enjoying!

Can I use a different frosting?

Certainly! If cream cheese frosting isn’t your favorite, you can try a buttercream or royal icing. Just keep in mind that different frostings will have different textures and flavors, but they’ll all add a lovely element to these eager Soft Molasses Cookies.

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Soft Molasses Cookies

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Author: Danae
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

These Soft Molasses Cookies combine warm spices and a creamy frosting for an irresistible treat. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion, they’re a delightful addition to your baking repertoire!

Ingredients

Scale

2 3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
1 tablespoon Ground Ginger
1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, softened
1 cup Dark Brown Sugar
1/2 cup White Granulated Sugar
1/2 cup Molasses
1 Large Egg
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
8 oz Cream Cheese, softened (for frosting)
2 cups Powdered Sugar
Brown Gel Food Dye (for decorating)

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Instructions

Sift dry ingredients together in a bowl.
Beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
Mix in molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until just combined.
Scoop and roll dough in granulated sugar, then place on a baking sheet.
Chill dough for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350℉; bake cookies for 14-16 minutes.
Cool cookies on pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
Prepare cream cheese frosting by mixing butter and cream cheese until creamy; add powdered sugar.
Decorate cooled cookies with frosting.

Notes

Use dark molasses for the best flavor.
Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for optimal mixing.
Chill the dough to help cookies maintain their shape while baking.