Chewy Soft Molasses Cookies

Featured in: Baking & Sweet Treats

These chewy molasses cookies deliver a tender texture with the deep, rich flavor of molasses paired with warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Easily prepared without a mixer, they come together quickly with simple ingredients and a straightforward method. Baking until edges are set but centers remain soft gives them a perfect chewiness. A sprinkle of sugar before baking adds a subtle crunch, making these cookies ideal for cozy afternoons or sharing with friends.

Updated on Thu, 20 Nov 2025 11:48:00 GMT
Warm, chewy soft Molasses Cookies fresh from the oven, glistening with a sugar coating ready to enjoy. Save
Warm, chewy soft Molasses Cookies fresh from the oven, glistening with a sugar coating ready to enjoy. | bakozy.com

Chewy Soft Molasses Cookies fill your kitchen with the inviting aroma of spices and molasses, delivering a classic American treat that&s perfect for cozy afternoons or holiday gatherings. These cookies come together quickly, no mixer required, promising irresistibly soft and chewy results every time.

I remember making these cookies on chilly weekends, watching them puff up in the oven until the edges set and the centers remained beautifully soft. No matter how often I bake them, guests always ask for the recipe and come back for seconds.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: 2 1/4 cups (280 g)
  • Ground ginger: 2 teaspoons
  • Ground cinnamon: 1 1/2 teaspoons
  • Ground cloves: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Ground nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon
  • Baking soda: 2 teaspoons
  • Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly: 3/4 cup (170 g)
  • Packed dark brown sugar: 1 cup (200 g)
  • Unsulphured molasses: 1/4 cup (60 ml)
  • Large egg, room temperature: 1
  • Pure vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
  • Granulated sugar (for rolling): 1/4 cup (50 g)

Instructions

Prep the oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Combine dry ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
Mix wet ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, and molasses until smooth and glossy. Add the egg and vanilla, whisking until well combined.
Blend wet and dry:
Add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Stir with a spatula just until no dry flour remains. Do not overmix.
Form dough balls:
Scoop tablespoonfuls of dough and roll into balls (about 1 1/2 inches). Roll each ball in granulated sugar to coat.
Arrange on baking sheets:
Place dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake:
Bake for 9–11 minutes, until cookies are puffed and edges are set but centers appear slightly underbaked.
Cool:
Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Baking molasses cookies together often leads to laughter and flour-dusted fingers, and my family always enjoys gathering at the kitchen table as the cookies cool, eager to savor their first warm bite.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls, whisk, spatula, measuring cups and spoons, baking sheets, parchment paper, wire rack

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), egg, and dairy (butter). Always check ingredient labels if you have allergies.

Nutritional Information

Each cookie provides approximately: Calories: 120, Total Fat: 5 g, Carbohydrates: 18 g, Protein: 1 g

Perfectly round Molasses Cookies, featuring a rich, deep brown hue and inviting aromas of spice and molasses. Save
Perfectly round Molasses Cookies, featuring a rich, deep brown hue and inviting aromas of spice and molasses. | bakozy.com

Enjoy these chewy molasses cookies with a glass of milk or your favorite tea. They&re sure to become a household staple for years to come.

Recipe FAQ

How can I achieve a softer texture?

Underbaking the cookies slightly helps retain moisture, resulting in a softer, chewier bite.

Can molasses be substituted?

Yes, dark treacle can be used as a molasses substitute without altering the flavor much.

What spices enhance these cookies?

Ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg combine to create a warm, aromatic flavor profile.

Is a mixer necessary to prepare the dough?

No mixer is required; whisking and folding by hand is sufficient for this easy method.

How should these cookies be stored?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days, or freeze for longer storage.

Chewy Soft Molasses Cookies

Soft, chewy cookies rich with molasses and warming spices for a cozy, flavorful bite.

Prep duration
15 min
Heat time
10 min
Complete duration
25 min
Created by Natalie Harris


Complexity Easy

Heritage American

Output 24 Portions

Nutrition specifications Meat-free

Components

Dry Ingredients

01 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 2 teaspoons ground ginger
03 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
04 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
05 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 2 teaspoons baking soda
07 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

01 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
02 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
03 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
04 1 large egg, room temperature
05 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For Rolling

01 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Directions

Phase 01

Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Phase 02

Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until evenly mixed.

Phase 03

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, dark brown sugar, and molasses until smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.

Phase 04

Incorporate Dry into Wet: Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture with a spatula until no flour is visible; avoid overmixing to maintain softness.

Phase 05

Form and Coat Dough Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into 1 1/2-inch balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar to coat evenly.

Phase 06

Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared parchment-lined sheets to allow spreading during baking.

Phase 07

Bake Cookies: Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until cookies are puffed with set edges but centers remain slightly soft for chewiness.

Phase 08

Cool Cookies: Cool cookies on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tools needed

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and if uncertain, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, and dairy (butter); verify individual ingredient labels for allergens.

Nutrient breakdown (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 120
  • Fats: 5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Proteins: 1 g