These are the Best Chewy Molasses Cookies ever, and a must make Christmas cookie tradition! The perfectly crackled tops and chewy insides are irresistible!
These amazing cookies have earned their place on our Christmas cookie trays every year. I have been making them for a long time, tweaking the recipe a little each time until they were just right.
No more tweaking necessary – these are truly the best!
My husband and kids all LOVE these cookies. They have the perfect amount of warm, comforting spices – they basically taste like a Christmas hug.
What are some of your favorite cookies to make each Christmas? Our list has become quite extensive, as we’ve had more kids. I think we made 20 varieties last year!
How to make the best chewy molasses cookies:
- The cookie dough starts with room temperature, softened butter, mixed with brown sugar until it lightens in color and is very fluffy.
- You can use light or dark brown sugar in this recipe. Dark brown sugar will add the most flavor!
- Using cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg along with the molasses gives these cookies the most delicious warm, spicy flavor we all love in a great molasses cookie!
- Roll the dough balls in granulated sugar before baking to give them a little festive sparkle and crunch!
- Thanks to the baking soda in this recipe, these cookies puff up nice in the oven and as they cool, they settle down a bit giving those classic crackled tops to the cookies!
(Complete recipe below in recipe card.)
If you make these molasses crinkle cookies, I would love for you to comment here on the blog!
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The flavors of gingerbread are a newly, much requested favorite around here. These Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Bars with Eggnog Frosting were a huge hit last year, and my kids have been asking me to make this Gingerbread Fudge all year long!
The mix of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg is just such a cozy combination. There’s not much better than watching snow fall outside your window with a nice hot latte, and a plate of these Chewy Molasses Cookies! Comfort and joy!
More Molasses and Gingerbread holiday Desserts:
- Easy Gingerbread Biscotti Recipe
- 19 Festive and Delicious Gingerbread Desserts
- Easy No Fail Gingerbread Twix Fudge
- All Things Gingerbread – Cookies, Cakes, Drinks, and More!
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Best Chewy Molasses Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cups unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in molasses and the egg until well incorporated.
- Add in the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and baking soda and mix well.
- Gradually mix in the flour on low speed, just until combined.
- Cover and chill at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Roll dough into 1 1/2" balls and roll them in the granulated sugar until coated.
- Place dough balls 2" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes.
- Let cool a few minutes on cookie sheet before transferring wire racks to cool completely.
- Store in an air tight container.
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Originally published on Nov 14, 2018.
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Tammy Thomas says
Perfectly delicious! These remind me of my grandma’s. Possible tips and tricks, for those who said theirs turned out flat- be sure to use fresh baking soda, and if you are using salted butter, omit the salt. Happy baking!
Marian says
Great recipe and easy to follow. I enjoyed them and I’m waiting to hear how my grandsons like them.
paula says
i would like to receive emails of recipes from your website thanks
WB says
I love the recipe.
I have a Gluten free child, and find it difficult to find good gluten free cookie recipes that are chewy and flavorful. I adapted your recipe to use King Arthur measure for measure gluten free flour. I reduced the baking soda to 1 1/2 t and the flour to 2 1/4 cup. The cookies came out great, chewy in the middle, crisp on the edges, no gritty texture, perfect flavor
Chelsea says
So delicious! I just made these and my family absolutely adores them!
CJ says
Made these tonight and they were easy and awesome! Definitely keeping this recipe. I made 2 batches – one with light brown sugar and one with dark. Didn’t notice a big difference. Both were great. I got 5 dozen cookies from each batch.
Dawn Albrecht-Parys says
While “good,” I decided to make these cookies “great” with a few small tweeks. I upped the ginger by another teaspoon and added an additional half a teaspoon of cinnamon. Finally, I sprinkled in my secret ingredient, one teaspoon of black pepper. The pepper adds an indescribable “bite” that makes these cookies soar…….my family adores them while friends beg for the recipe. I’d love to know what you all think…..enjoy!
Jeni says
This are soft and delicious.
Stephanie Shambo says
Just made these and they are delicious, so chewy and packed full of flavor. My family (Even the kids) loved these and couldn’t stop eating them. I had to put them where they couldn’t be seen. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Kris says
WOW – love these cookies!! Just as described!
Melanie says
Making these this morning while listening to Christmas jazz and sipping my freshly brewed coffee, dancing around the kitchen with my Santa hat, robe, and fuzzy slippers. 😁🎶 Looking forward to these, I’ll share how they turn out! Thank you for sharing the recipe! Merry Christmas! ❤️😊🤶🎄
Stephanie Brubaker says
That sounds just perfect! Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
Darold says
Tried them and liked them very much. Thank you for the recipe.
Margaret says
My father used to make these cookies for my daughter. She called them “broken cookies”.
Colleen says
Is this a soft dough ?Or should u be able to roll them after mixing?mine is softer than usual I added more flour but I don’t want to add to much to dry the cookie out.?!Thsnks so much !Colleen b.
Stephanie Brubaker says
You may need to add extra flour if it is too soft/sticky to roll. It is a soft dough, but shouldn’t be too soft to handle.
KarenMN says
Hi Stephanie…I just made these awesome cookies! They turned out exactly as I had anticipated. A crispy edge with a chewy center…perfect!! I just want to make sure that the 1 tablespoon is correct for the baking soda. It seems like a lot for a recipe using 2 1/4 cups of flour. I actually didn’t use a whole tbsp because I thought it was a typo. Regardless, the cookies turned out delicious, and we are enjoying them to the degree of gluttony ;o)
Happy Holidays to you and your family! Takes for the great recipe!
Karen in Minnesota
Stephanie Brubaker says
So glad you enjoyed the cookies! The 1 TBS of baking soda is not a mistake 🙂 Thanks for the note, and Merry Christmas!
Melissa says
These are delicious. I was doubtful of the amount of baking soda, and mine were puffy in the oven, but they crinkled and cracked like they were supposed to, and flattened as they cooled.
This is my new favorite cookie!,,
suzette says
do recommend using cloves also in the ingredients? i notice others use it..Was just curious.Thanks
Mandi says
I made and sent these cookies across country to a friend, in transit for a week, and they were still amazingly soft, chewy and delicious!! Great recipe!!
Sharon says
Delicious! Will definitely make them again. Chilled the dough overnight and they came out fine. Baked them only 7 min. Like them slightly underdone. Perfect. Crispy and chewy.s
Zora Adams says
Just made these over the weekend and I don’t think I’ve ever made a more perfect cookie! My cookies never look like the picture in the recipe and so I am so impressed that they not only look perfect but the are chewy and so yummy…. seriously, these are gonna be made every year from now on! I wish I could post a picture!😁
Susan says
Very good cookie and taste amazing warm Love it!
Bev Witmer says
One of my favorite cookies, growing up, was Archway,s molasses cookies. This recipe is the closest I’ve ever eaten. Absolutely delicious!
Devon Joy says
What type of molasses do you use for the recipe
Michelle says
The granulated sugar at end of recipe, does that go into the cookie dough as well it was that for costing afterwards?
Stephanie Brubaker says
Sorry for the confusion, the granulated sugar at the end is just for rolling the cookie dough balls in. Enjoy!
Jennifer says
Can I freeze the dough? I’m thinking of making & gifting some different cookie doughs for coworkers, and I would love to include this one. If it makes a difference, I am freezing it in paper pint containers.
Stephanie Brubaker says
You sure can! What a great gift idea 🙂
Joe says
Is the granulated sugar added to the brown sugar or is it to just for rolling and coating of the cookies before baking?
Stephanie Brubaker says
The granulated sugar is used just for rolling the dough balls in. These are a huge favorite in our house, hoe you enjoy them too!
Raquel says
Do you have to chill these in the refrigerator for 2 hours?
Stephanie Brubaker says
Yes. Chilling helps keep the cookies from spreading too much!
Dana says
Mine came out flat and thin. They tasted great but didn’t look like yours. Any suggestions?
Stephanie Brubaker says
Sounds like they needed longer chill time, or even a little more flour. Hope you make them again – these are our favorite cookies!
Allie says
Can you chill for longer than 2 hours??
Stephanie Brubaker says
Yes 🙂
Lydia says
These are amazing. My husband even said better than chocolate chip! Thanks for a superb recipe!
Mrs. H.G. Clark says
Good morning! You mention these are freezable. Is that before or after being baked? I am in need of freezable dough to make it easy for when the grandchildren come to make cookies for Santa.
Looking forward to your reply. Wishing you and yours a happy Christmas season filled with great health, loved ones, laughter, and tons of fabulous memories.
Sherri says
I make these and dip half in white chocolate. 😋
Shari Johnson says
Is a tablespoon of Baking Soda correct in your recipe? Seems like a lot.(?)
Stephanie Brubaker says
One tablespoon is correct. More than most cookies, but these need it 🙂 Enjoy!
Cindy says
What temperature did you cook these on?
Stephanie Brubaker says
350. Hope you enjoy!