Name: Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-489054H58M40S
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled; 2 teaspoons ground ginger; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cups unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1 large egg; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/3 cup molasses; 1/3 cup white sugar or coarse sugar for rolling

Jump to Recipe·5.1 from 5 reviews

Dive into the coziest flavors of the season with these Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies. This recipe brings together everything you crave in a perfect holiday cookie: a deeply spiced aroma, sweet crackly tops, and irresistibly soft centers. Whether you’re baking for a festive gathering or just for yourself (no judgment!), these cookies are bound to disappear fast. Each bite is warmly spiced and perfectly chewy—the kind of treat destined to become a family favorite.

Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed by how a handful of pantry staples can yield such sublime results! Each ingredient in these cookies does some essential heavy lifting—bringing out lingering spice, that signature chewy bite, and a glorious golden color. Let’s break it down so you can appreciate every element.

All-purpose flour: The sturdy structure to capture all that chewy goodness—best measured by spooning and leveling for accuracy.
Ground ginger: The star spice, delivering cozy warmth and that unmistakable ginger zing.
Cinnamon: Builds complexity and gives the cookies a welcoming, spiced aroma.
Ground cloves: Just a whisper of this spice intensifies the depth and richness of every bite.
Ground nutmeg: Adds gentle, nutty undertones that round out the spice profile.
Baking soda: Gives these Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies their signature crackly tops and a tender crumb.
Salt: Brightens and balances all the deep, sweet flavors.
Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature for easy creaming and a rich, buttery foundation.
Brown sugar: Brings moisture and subtle molasses undertones, essential for chewiness.
Large egg: Helps bind everything together and adds just the right amount of lift.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the spices with aromatic sweetness.
Molasses: The secret to that deep, rich color and moist, chewy texture—don’t skimp!
White sugar (or coarse sugar): For rolling, this gives the cookies a shimmery, crackly finish after baking.

How to Make Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Get started by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to ensure your cookies bake evenly. Setting up your workspace before you mix makes everything flow smoothly.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Grab a large bowl and sift together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Sifting not only combines your dry ingredients but also aerates them, leading to lighter, more consistent cookies—an easy trick for the best Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies.

Step 3: Cream Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the softened butter and brown sugar until they become light and fluffy. This step introduces air and gives you that coveted pillowy texture. Next, beat in the molasses, vanilla extract, and egg, mixing until everything is beautifully blended.

Step 4: Combine and Chill Dough

Turn your mixer down to low speed and gradually add in the dry ingredients, mixing about half at a time. Be careful not to overmix! Once it just comes together, cover the bowl and let the dough chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. Chilling helps keep the cookies thick, chewy, and easy to roll.

Step 5: Shape and Coat

After the dough has firmed up a bit, pour the white sugar or coarse sugar onto a small plate. Scoop the dough with a tablespoon or small cookie scoop and roll into balls. Give each dough ball a generous roll in the sugar for that classic, sparkly top—an essential feature of these Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies.

Step 6: Arrange and Bake

Set the sugar-coated dough balls at least 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets (they’ll spread ever so slightly). Bake one tray at a time on the center rack for 8-10 minutes, just until the edges look set and the tops begin to crack. Don’t overbake! The centers should look a little underdone for that dreamy chew.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Let the cookies cool on their trays for a few minutes—they’ll finish setting up without drying out. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, if you can wait that long. The golden sugar sparkle and spicy aroma will draw everyone into the kitchen!

How to Serve Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

Garnishes

A little glam never hurts! Try a light dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of white chocolate, or even a pinch of flaky sea salt for extra pizzazz. These touches not only make your Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies stand out on the dessert tray but invite extra oohs and aahs from your friends and family.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with vanilla ice cream for a classic sundae experience, or serve them alongside fresh sliced pears for a cool, juicy contrast. Hot spiced tea, a latte, or mulled cider all enhance the warming flavors and turn snacktime into something truly special.

Creative Ways to Present

Dress up your Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies by stacking them in clear mason jars as edible gifts, arranging them in holiday tins, or sandwiching them with spiced cream cheese frosting for festive whoopie pies. Think cookie platters, holiday swaps, or just snuggled into a napkin for nibbling by the fire.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your freshly baked Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies deliciously soft by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay perfect for up to a week—just slip a slice of bread in the container to maintain that irresistible chew.

Freezing

These cookies are freezer-friendly! After baking and cooling, seal them in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to three months. Alternatively, freeze the dough balls (before sugar rolling) and bake directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time as needed.

Reheating

To revive that fresh-from-the-oven magic, warm individual cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. They’ll taste like they were just baked, with gooey centers and all the spiced aroma you love.

FAQs

Can I use blackstrap molasses for these cookies?

It’s best to use regular unsulphured molasses for Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies. Blackstrap molasses can be a bit too bitter and overpowering for most palates, while regular molasses keeps things rich and mellow.

Why do the cookies need to chill before baking?

Chilling the dough helps the cookies retain their shape and prevents them from spreading too thin. It also lets the spices meld, making the flavors even more pronounced in every Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookie.

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?

Absolutely! This recipe easily doubles—just mix your dough in a larger bowl and bake the cookies in batches. Perfect for gift-giving or feeding a holiday crowd.

What’s the best way to get evenly sized cookies?

Use a small cookie scoop or measure out the dough with a tablespoon for consistently sized Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies. This helps them bake evenly and look picture-perfect every time.

Can I add mix-ins to the dough?

Definitely! Chopped crystallized ginger, dark chocolate chips, or even a handful of toasted pecans add exciting twists to the basic dough without overpowering the classic warm flavors.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite as comforting as a warm batch of Soft & Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies filling the kitchen with spiced holiday aromas. If you’re looking for a cookie that delivers on both taste and nostalgia, this recipe is the one to try. Happy baking, and don’t forget to share—if you can resist keeping them all to yourself!