Super Soft Molasses Cookies

The irresistible aroma of warm spices and sweet molasses fills your kitchen as these Super Soft Molasses Cookies bake to perfection. With their pillowy centers and slightly crackled tops, these molasses cookies are the ultimate comfort treat that brings back nostalgic memories of grandma’s kitchen. The deep, rich flavor profile combined with their incredibly tender texture makes these Super Soft Molasses Cookies stand apart from ordinary spice cookies. You’ll learn how to create bakery-quality molasses cookies with the perfect balance of sweetness and warm spices that stay soft for days—if they last that long!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Super Soft Molasses Cookies will quickly become a family favorite for several compelling reasons. First, their texture is absolutely divine—impossibly soft and tender in the center with a slightly chewy edge that creates the perfect contrast in every bite. The rich molasses flavor is beautifully balanced with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, creating a complex flavor profile that’s both comforting and sophisticated.

What truly sets these molasses spice cookies apart is how they maintain their softness for days after baking, making them perfect for holiday cookie exchanges or make-ahead treats. The recipe is remarkably forgiving for bakers of all skill levels—no fancy equipment needed, just a few mixing bowls and a spoon.

The sparkly sugar coating adds a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender interior. Plus, your home will be filled with an intoxicating aroma that signals the arrival of the holiday season. Even those who typically don’t gravitate toward spiced cookies find themselves reaching for seconds of these irresistible Super Soft Molasses Cookies.

Ingredients

For these perfect Super Soft Molasses Cookies, you’ll need:

• 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
• 1/4 cup (60ml) unsulphured molasses (not blackstrap)
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

The star ingredient is unsulphured molasses, which provides the distinctive rich, warm flavor these cookies are known for. Avoid blackstrap molasses as it’s too bitter for these cookies. Fresh spices are crucial—if your ground spices have been sitting in your pantry for over a year, consider replacing them for the most vibrant flavor in your soft molasses cookies. The combination of butter and granulated sugar creates the perfect base for these tender treats.

Pro Tips

Chill The Dough: For the absolute softest texture in your Super Soft Molasses Cookies, refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour before baking. This not only makes the dough easier to handle but also prevents excessive spreading during baking, which helps maintain that perfectly soft center. If you’re in a hurry, even 30 minutes in the freezer will make a noticeable difference.

Don’t Overbake: The secret to maintaining the signature softness of these molasses spice cookies is careful baking time. Remove them from the oven when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly underdone—they’ll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet. When you see slight cracks forming on top and the edges beginning to set (around 8-10 minutes), that’s your cue to take them out, even if they seem a bit underbaked.

Perfect Sugar Coating: For that beautiful crackled appearance and slight crunch, roll the dough balls generously in granulated sugar. The sugar not only adds texture contrast but also helps prevent the cookies from sticking to your hands during shaping. For a holiday variation, use coarse sugar or a mixture of sugar and cinnamon for rolling to enhance both the appearance and flavor profile of your Super Soft Molasses Cookies.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Begin by bringing your butter and egg to room temperature. This ensures proper incorporation and the fluffiest texture for your Super Soft Molasses Cookies. Measure all ingredients carefully, especially the molasses—use a measuring cup that’s been lightly sprayed with cooking oil so the molasses slides out easily without sticking.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. This incorporates air into the mixture, contributing to the cookies’ soft texture. Add the molasses and beat until fully incorporated—the mixture will take on a beautiful caramel color. Then beat in the egg until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. This ensures even distribution of the spices and leavening agents throughout your Super Soft Molasses Cookies. The fragrance at this stage will be absolutely enticing!

Step 4: Form The Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can develop too much gluten and make your cookies tough rather than tender. The dough will be soft but not sticky. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.

Step 5: Shape And Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Pour some granulated sugar into a small bowl. Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in sugar until completely coated. Place on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies as they will spread. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are set but the centers still look soft. The cookies will crackle on top as they bake—a signature feature of perfect Super Soft Molasses Cookies.

Step 6: Cool Properly
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period is crucial for developing their ideal texture. As they cool, they’ll firm up slightly while maintaining that coveted soft center that makes these molasses cookies so special.

Variations

Ginger Molasses Cookies: Transform your Super Soft Molasses Cookies into a more intense ginger experience by doubling the ground ginger and adding 1/3 cup of finely chopped crystallized ginger to the dough. This variation offers delightful bursts of spicy sweetness that complement the molasses beautifully. The added texture from the crystallized ginger pieces creates an exciting contrast to the soft cookie base.

Orange Spice Molasses Cookies: For a bright, citrusy twist, add 1 tablespoon of orange zest and substitute 1/4 teaspoon of the cloves with cardamom. The orange notes bring a refreshing dimension to these traditional soft molasses cookies that’s especially welcome during the winter months. You can also roll these in a mixture of sugar and a small amount of dried orange zest for an extra flavor boost.

Gluten-Free Adaptation: These Super Soft Molasses Cookies can be made gluten-free with excellent results. Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour that contains xanthan gum. Add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t include it to maintain the chewy, soft texture that makes these cookies special. The rich molasses flavor works wonderfully with gluten-free flours.

Storage And Serving

These Super Soft Molasses Cookies stay remarkably soft for up to 5 days when stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature. Place a slice of bread in the container to help maintain moisture—the cookies will absorb the bread’s moisture while the bread becomes stale. For longer storage, these cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months; simply thaw at room temperature for a few hours before serving.

For an elevated dessert experience, sandwich vanilla ice cream between two cookies to create irresistible molasses cookie ice cream sandwiches. The warm spices complement the cold, creamy ice cream perfectly. Alternatively, serve these cookies alongside a steaming mug of spiced apple cider or chai tea for a cozy autumn treat.

For holiday gifting, stack Super Soft Molasses Cookies in decorative tins with parchment paper between layers. The spice-forward flavor profile actually improves after a day, making these ideal for prepare-ahead gifts or cookie exchanges. A light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving adds a festive snow-like appearance that’s especially appealing during the winter holidays.

FAQs

Why did my molasses cookies spread too much?
If your Super Soft Molasses Cookies spread excessively, your butter might have been too warm or you may have used too little flour. Make sure to chill the dough as directed and accurately measure your flour using the spoon-and-level method.

Can I use blackstrap molasses in this recipe?
Avoid blackstrap molasses for these Super Soft Molasses Cookies as it’s significantly more bitter and less sweet than regular unsulphured molasses, which would drastically alter the flavor profile of these cookies.

How do I keep my molasses cookies soft?
The key to maintaining softness is not overbaking. Remove cookies from the oven when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly underdone. Also, store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain moisture.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough for Super Soft Molasses Cookies can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before shaping and baking.

Why did my cookies not crackle on top?
The characteristic crackle comes from the sugar coating and proper oven temperature. Ensure your oven is fully preheated and that you’ve generously coated the cookie dough balls in granulated sugar before baking your Super Soft Molasses Cookies.

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