These Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies are a classic holiday cookie. They're sure to become a staple in your holiday baking traditions. Make them ahead of time and give as gifts for the holidays!
We make a lot of cookies in our house. A LOT. And when the holidays come up, our KitchenAid mixer and oven work overtime!
We have certain cookies that we love to make year after year. But at the very top of that list? These Soft, Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies.
We LOVE these cookies so much! And, they're a big hit with everyone we share them with over the holidays.
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🌟 What makes these cookies special?
These molasses cookies are perfect for the holiday season.
- Each bite has classic holiday gingerbread flavor.
- The recipe makes a lot - about 48 cookies - which makes it great for cookie exchanges and holiday parties.
- They are EASY to make.
- These cookies are just the right size: enough to satisfy your sweet tooth but not too huge, chunky, or full of too many competing ingredients.
- These pack well and ship well - perfect for mailing to friends and family in holiday care packages!
- They're easy to gift in cute bakery packages as holiday gifts.
🧈 Ingredient notes
Spices - this recipe calls for classic winter holiday spices: ground ginger and ground cinnamon.
Butter - use unsalted butter that is softened to room temperature
Sugars - In this recipe, I use half coconut sugar and half cane sugar. This cuts down the processed sugar but keeps a nice balance of flavors in the sweetness. You can use all granulated sugar instead, and the results are similar. However, I have to say: I love the extra rich flavor that the coconut sugar adds!
Egg - make sure you take your egg out so it is at room temperature when you are ready to add it to the batter.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
These cookies come together pretty quickly, which is always a plus in my book!
- Start by mixing all of the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
- In a stand mixer or large bowl using a whisk or hand mixer, cream together the butter and both sugars until they're smooth and creamy.
3. Blend in the egg, then blend in the molasses. Then slowly add in the dry ingredients until they're well blended.
4. Shape the dough into a disc and chill in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes.
5. Once chilled, form small round dough balls and roll in raw sugar.
6. I use the bottom of a measuring cup to gently tap down on the individual rolled cookie balls before baking.
7. Bake at 350° degrees for 8 - 12 minutes.
👩🏻🍳 Baking tips and FAQs
makes approximately 4 dozen cookies, and can be doubled easily. This is an awesome cookie for holiday cookie exchanges!
Baking time will vary depending on your oven, but also on the type of baking sheet you have, based on my personal experience.
If you are baking on a light-colored baking pan, your baking time may be between 10 and 15 minutes.
If you are baking on a Silpat or darker baking sheet, your baking time may be closer to 8 to 12 minutes.
Yes! These cookies freeze well and ship well.
To freeze, you can either freeze the cookie dough before baking for up to one month. Or, bake the cookies and then let them cool completely before freezing in airtight containers for up to two months.
⏲ Kitchen tools and equipment
What are some of your favorite Go To holiday cookies each year?
PS: if you're looking for a fun and easy kid-friendly holiday activity, try making my DIY Baking Soda Ornaments!
Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butter, softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup full flavor molasses
- 1 cup raw sugar for outer coating
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together dry ingredients: flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a mixing stand, cream together the butter and both sugars for at least 2 minutes, until smooth and creamy.
- Add in the egg, mix until blended.
- Add in molasses and vanilla, and mix until fully blended.
- Slowly add in the dry ingredients, ¼ cup at a time, and only mix until all ingredients are well blended. Be careful not to over mix.
- Shape dough into a disc shape and wrap with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for 45 minutes to one hour.
- Remove from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for about 5 minutes, until soft enough to roll easily.
- Form small round balls and roll in raw sugar.
- Place on prepared baking sheet and gently tap down.
- Bake at 350° degrees for 8 - 12 minutes until slightly golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
Nicole says
Could I use powdered sugar on top instead I just don’t like the texture of the granulated
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Nicole - I have never used powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar in this recipe, so I can't vouch for how it will turn out. If you do try it, please post here how it turned out!
Jerry says
Oh my. I was craving gingerbread in the worst way. Now this is one of my favorite winter treats. Definitely on my list to make again for after school snacks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Chrisy says
Love these! Ginger cookies are on my baking list this year again :)
Dee Dee says
I love, love, LOVE these molasses cookies!
Gwen says
Ooooo, my favorite!! Gotta make these babies again!
Susan says
I absolutely must make these. They look fantastic. I can practically smell all those wonderful flavors from here. :-)
Becky says
I am not at all a baker, but I would change my ways for those cookies!! Yum!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Becky! They might just turn you into a baker ;)
Bill Volckening says
What perfect looking cookies you made!! I am very impressed!!
Pech says
Those cookies look so software perfect! I appreciate your styling of the shot of the cookies on the plate with a not fully filled milk glass!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Pech! The light was just perfect on that particular day. I think the sunshine was drawn to the cookies ;)
Megan says
These are a favorite in our house. Love your beautiful photography-- captures every bit of their deliciousness!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks Megan! I love soft ginger molasses cookies too versus the traditional molasses cookies. The ginger makes it extra delicious! :)