Old Fashion Molasses Cookies Recipe (video) (2024)

Considered the poor man’s candy, molasses transforms into delicious homemade cookies in this easy recipe. Grandma’s old fashion soft molasses cookies do not need any chilling time. They are soft, chewy, and packed with the flavors of warm spices. Perfect to add to your holiday baking this Christmas.

These cookies bring childhood holiday memories for me. Mom made tons of treats using gingerbread spice and molasses during the holidays. I think these are called grandma’s recipes because they do not need any chilling time. After all, grandma does not want us to wait for the dough to chill before baking, does she?

Ingredients and substitutes

• All-purpose flour – The amount of flour in the recipe will determine how dense the cookies will be. So make sure to measure the ingredients correctly.
• Sugar– The combination of white and brown is what gives us that soft on the inside and crisp on the outside cookie. If you want more soft, use darker brown and less white sugar.
• Egg– I use just one egg yolk to prevent these cookies from spreading too much.
• Spices– Today, I am using ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. And yet, you can also use a pumpkin spice mix or gingerbread spice mix. They both go well with molasses.

Molasses cookies

• Preheat the oven to 350°F / 177C / Gas Mark 4
• Dry ingredients– In abowl,combine flour, baking soda, salt, spices, and ground ginger – set aside.

• In the bowl of astand mixerwith the paddle attachment, on medium speed, cream the butter and both white and brown sugars until light and fluffy.
• Next, add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract. Followed by the flour mixture at low speed. Combine well but do not overmix.
  Pro tip – We do not want the activate the gluten in the dough so do not over mix.

• Using acookie scoopor two dessert spoons, scoop the batter into small dough balls. Place them on abaking sheetlined with silicone or parchment paper making sure to leave space between the cookies for them to spread.
  Pro tip– The cookie dough can be refrigerated for a week or frozen for up to a month.

• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are slightly dark.
  Pro tip– It is difficult to rely on the color of the edges because these cookies are darker. So, the best is to put a timer for 10 minutes, then check to see if you need a minute more.

• Cool on a cookie sheet for 5 minutes. Then, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before you transfer to acookie jar.

Creative ways to serve molasses cookies

• Molasses Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches: Pair two molasses cookies with a scoop of cinnamon or pumpkin spice ice cream to create a seasonal ice cream sandwich.
• Cookie and Cheese Pairing: Offer a cheese board featuring cheeses that pair well with the robust flavor of molasses cookies, such as sharp cheddar or creamy blue cheese.
• Molasses Cookie Dipping Station: Set up a station with warm chocolate, caramel sauces, and various toppings for guests to customize their cookie experience.
• Holiday Cookie Garland: String cookies onto a festive garland, interlaced with dried fruits and cinnamon sticks, for an edible decoration that is both attractive and delicious.
• Molasses Cookie Crust: Use crushed molasses cookies as a crust for pumpkin pie or cheesecake, adding a depth of flavor and a delightful crunch.
• Spiced Coffee Pairing: Serve the cookies alongside a cup of spiced coffee or chai latte, enhancing the spices in the cookies.
• Molasses Cookie Trifle: Create a decadent dessert by layering crumbled molasses cookies with whipped cream, spiced apples, and caramel sauce in a trifle dish.
• Mini Cookie Sandwiches: Make mini molasses cookie sandwiches with fillings like marshmallow fluff, lemon curd, or mascarpone cheese for a bite-sized treat.
• Molasses Cookie Gift Basket: Package the cookies in a festive basket and other holiday treats, such as hot cocoa mix and cinnamon sticks, for a heartfelt gift.
• Molasses Cookie Fondue: Serve the cookies with a fondue pot filled with melted chocolate or caramel sauce, encouraging guests to dip and enjoy.
• Molasses Cookie Butter: Process the cookies with butter to make a spreadable cookie butter that can be enjoyed on bread or as a dip for fruits.
• Decorated Molasses Cookies: Set up a decorating table with royal icing, edible pearls, and gold dust for guests to decorate their cookies, creating a fun and interactive dessert experience.
• Molasses Cookie Ice Cream Pie: Create an ice cream pie with a molasses cookie crust filled with gingerbread or pumpkin spice ice cream, and topped with a sprinkle of cookie crumbs.
• Cookie Milkshake: Blend molasses cookies with vanilla ice cream, milk, and a dash of cinnamon to create a rich and creamy milkshake.
• Molasses Cookie S’mores: Create a winter version of s’mores using molasses cookies in place of graham crackers, paired with a square of chocolate and a roasted marshmallow.

Frequently asked questions