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Soft Molasses Cookies

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By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Updated Nov 20, 2023
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Mmm…molasses. These perfect, pillowy soft molasses cookies might even be better than the ones Grandma used to make. (But don’t worry, we won’t tell!) Betty has taken that classic spiced cookie recipe—with ginger, cinnamon and cloves—and positively perfected it to make the best ginger molasses cookies you’ve ever tasted. They’re baked with a soft, chewy center and a slightly crispy crunch on the outside, then dipped in sugar to give them a sweet finish. Whip up a batch during the holidays or whenever you’re craving cozy spiced cookies.

What are molasses cookies?

A true classic, molasses cookies have been around since the late 1800s. At the time, molasses was widely used in cookies because it was much less expensive than white sugar. After WWI, the price of white sugar fell and cookies and other baked goods were once again more commonly made with refined sugar. Today, molasses cookies are loved for their sweet and lightly spiced flavor with notes of ginger, cinnamon and cloves. This nostalgic sweet is popular around the holidays, but is absolutely delightful in any season.

How do you make molasses cookies?

The secret to the utterly irresistible chewy texture desired from a traditional molasses cookie is shortening. While many cookie recipes call for butter, shortening lends a lighter texture to your finished treat. For this simple recipe, combine shortening with brown sugar, molasses and eggs, then add the dry ingredients like flour, baking soda and that quintessential blend of spices. Dipping your dough in granulated sugar before baking gives your cookies that sparkly, crackly top everyone loves. And while your cookies are baking, your house will smell absolutely amazing. Is your mouth watering yet?

More About This Recipe

  • The classics are classics for a reason–and this tasty, traditional treat proves that tenfold. With a spicy, sweet flavor that reminds you of happy holidays and time spent in the kitchen with loved ones, these soft molasses cookies are a little bite of nostalgia. Make a batch today to enjoy and share!

Frequently Asked Questions

Soft Molasses Cookies

  • Prep Time 40 min
  • Total 60 min
  • Servings 24
  • Ingredients 11
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup shortening
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 2 1/4 cups Gold Medal™ All Purpose Flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Make With
Gold Medal Flour

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    Heat oven to 325°F. In large bowl, beat brown sugar, shortening, molasses and egg with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in remaining ingredients except granulated sugar.
  • Step 
    2
    Shape dough by rounded tablespoonfuls into 1 1/2-inch balls. Dip tops into granulated sugar. On ungreased cookie sheet, place balls, sugared sides up, about 2 inches apart.
  • Step 
    3
    Bake 13 to 16 minutes or just until set and cookies appear dry. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.

Nutrition

160 Calories
7g Total Fat
1g Protein
22g Total Carbohydrate
12g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Cookie
Calories
160
Calories from Fat
60
Total Fat
7g
10%
Saturated Fat
1 1/2g
8%
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
10mg
3%
Sodium
135mg
6%
Potassium
100mg
3%
Total Carbohydrate
22g
7%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
12g
Protein
1g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
0%
0%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
0%
0%
Iron
6%
6%
Exchanges:
1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 1 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
1 1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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