Molasses Sugar Cookies

Here’s Our Take on a Modern Version of Classic Molasses Cookies…

Although they evoke the aromas of the holidays, this recipe for modern molasses sugar cookies is delicious enough to be a year round favorite, not just a perennial bake. In tinkering with a few classic recipes, we found some to be a bit too crisp, and some too heavily spiced. Now, we think this recipe offers both. We also give a nod to the traditional ginger snap cookie. They have a soft, chewy center and the bottom sets up nicely but not too hard. The brown sugar adds a hint of caramel flavor. The cinnamon, clove and ginger have a perfect balance of spice that complements the sweetness and texture of the sugar sprinkled tops.

Sweet and Spice: Finding the Right Balance

Ingredient choices in this recipe does make a quite a difference. Our best results are from the combination of sweetness and spiciness. Light molasses did not have the iconic depth of flavor that you find in traditional molasses cookie recipes. We prefer the concentrated and rich flavor of dark molasses over the sharpness of black strap molasses, which we find too overpowering. Brer Rabbit Full Flavor Molasses is our favorite brand. Dark brown sugar also has a better balance of sweetness along with this molasses. In comparison, light brown sugar did not give the cookies the rich, sweetness we desire.

Using the Freshest Ingredients: Grinding Spices

As with any recipe, using fresh ingredients is important, especially when it comes to baking recipes and leaveners. Make certain to use fresh baking soda, or the cookies will not rise properly and will become crunchy, instead of having a chewy texture.

The freshness of the spices can make a big difference in the balance of flavor, too. We make it a habit to mark the date of purchase on the containers of our herbs and spices, as they loose potency over time. Consider replacing your spices if they are more than a year old. We did have good results in substituting fresh ginger in this recipe and used the same measurement minced to a very fine paste consistency. We also ground the cloves from whole buds and the cinnamon from sticks that we initially cut into small pieces, then used a coffee grinder to grind to a powder. This Krups Electric Spice and Coffee Grinder is our choice.

Molasses Sugar Cookies

TrHendy

These molasses cookies have a soft, chewy center and a crisp bottom – perfect for dunking. The brown sugar adds a caramel flavor and the cinnamon, clove and ginger have a perfect balance of spice.]]>

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 48

Calories 80 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup dark molasses *We prefer Brer Rabbit full flavor molasses
• 1 large egg
• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1/2 tablespoon ground clove
• 1/2 cup white sugar

Instructions

 

• Sift flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, clove and ginger together. Set aside.
• Mix butter and brown sugar until creamy. 
• Add molasses and egg and mix just until combined. 
• Add sifted dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated. 
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C).
• Prepare baking trays by lining with parchment paper or coating with cooking spray or butter. 
• Place white sugar in a shallow dish.
• Roll the dough loosely and form into 1-1/2 inch balls. Do not over handle the dough or it will become sticky. 
• Roll the dough balls in the white sugar.
• Place sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking tray 2 inches apart; 12 on a tray, 3 across and 4 down.
• Sprinkle tops of dough balls with a pinch more white sugar.
• Bake one tray at a time in the center of the oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Bake times will vary depending on oven.
• Let stand 30 seconds then carefully remove from tray and place on wire rack to cool. 
• Makes 4 dozen cookies.
• Allow to cool completely and store in a covered container for up to 6 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Notes

Nutrition Per Serving

• Servings: 48
• Amount per serving | % Daily Value*
• Calories: 73
• Total Fat: 3.1g | 4%
• Saturated Fat: 1.9g | 9%
• Cholesterol: 12mg | 4%
• Sodium: 256mg | 11%
• Total Carbohydrate: 11g | 4%
• Dietary Fiber: 0.3g | 1%
• Total Sugars: 8.16g
• Protein: 0.8g
• Vitamin D: 2mcg | 12%
• Calcium: 10mg | 1%
• Iron: 0mg | 2%
• Potassium: 40mg | 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 1gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 213mgPotassium: 43mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 94IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg

Keyword cookies, molasses

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!