December 6, 2021

Chewy molasses spice cookies

Serving plate with baked chewy molasses spice cookies.

These chewy molasses spice cookies are truly perfect - simple, chewy and soft centers, lightly spiced, slightly crisp edges, sugary tops, and all-around yummy! They are a delicious Christmas cookie and really good all throughout the winter.

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These cookies are very slightly adapted from a Martha Stewart recipe, so I can't take credit for them, though I wish I could. Over the years they have become one of my favorite cookies for the holidays and my kids love them as well. 

The spices in these cookies really make you feel warm and cozy and they smell and taste like Christmas time. All the warmth from the cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg feels perfect for the holidays. They have a traditional and old-fashioned feel to them.

Stack of chewy molasses spice cookies with a bite taken out of the top cookie.

The flavor of these cookies improves after a day or two as the spices become even more prominent. They will make your house smell like the holidays while they are baking. 

These are a terrific cookie to enjoy with a steamy cup of tea, coffee, or hot cocoa. Turn up the Christmas music, too!

I always like to have at least one type of ginger and/or spiced cookie around for Christmas. I like these a lot because of their texture. Chewy and ever-so-slightly crunchy cookies are my ideal!

I end up making them twice most years even though they keep well because I add them to homemade gift tins and to cookie trays when we visit people at Christmas time. Plus, they are one of my kids' and my favorites, so we are frequently picking them to eat throughout the season.

These are a pretty easy cookie to make. One thing is that you do need to bake them one sheet at a time. This allows the oven's dry heat to do its magic to ensure that the cookies crack on the tops and achieve that cracked appearance. 

Add these chewy molasses spice cookies to your holiday cookie tray this year - you won't be disappointed! They are also perfect for bringing to a holiday party, potluck, or for gift giving since they last for many days.

Side view of baked chewy molasses spice cookies with one cookie with a bite out.


Yield: 30 cookies
Author: Amy (Savory Moments)
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Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies

Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies

These chewy molasses spice cookies are truly perfect - simple, chewy and soft centers, lightly spiced, slightly crisp edges, sugary tops, and all-around yummy! They are a delicious Christmas cookie and really good all throughout the winter.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1-1/3 cups sugar, divided
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup molasses, I used unsulphured

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together the flour through ginger in a medium bowl and set aside. Place 1/3 cup of sugar in a small shallow bowl and set aside.
  3. Cream together the butter and remaining 1 cup of sugar in a stand mixer with paddle attachment or with a hand mixer. Beat in the egg and then the molasses. Turn the speed to low and slowly add the dry ingredients until combined.
  4. Roll the dough 1 tablespoon at a time into balls. Roll in the bowl of sugar and place on the baking sheet about 3-inches apart.
  5. Bake one sheet at a time (see notes) for about 11-13 minutes, until the edges are just set and the bottoms are just turning golden. Let cool on the sheet for 1 minute and then use a thin spatula to remove to a wire rack to cool. While one tray is baking, prepare the second tray and then bake. Repeat until all dough is used.
  6. Store in an airtight container for several days.

Notes:

Baking the cookies one sheet at a time ensures that the cookies crack evenly from the dry heat of the oven.

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I hope you give these Chewy Molasses Spice cookies a try! Let me know in the comments below. 
 
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Close-up of a finished chewu molasses spice cookie.
 
This recipe was originally published in 2017 and has been updated in 2020 and 2021 with a recipe card, new text, and more to improve reader experience.
 
Check out these other Christmas cookie recipes: 
 

12 comments:

  1. wow these molasses cookies cracked so beautifully! Perfect!

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  2. these cookies look so good! we did get a tree this year, and the problem wasn't the toddler but one of the cats! our son has been SO good with the tree (i was very surprised). one of our cats, who hasn't bothered the tree in the past very much, has been terrible...

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  3. We're cookie twins! Molasses cookies are just the best aren't they? Yours look PERFECT!

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  4. Molasses cookies are the best and these look great! My husband likes his cookies cakey but I love mine chewy, just like these. Happy Holidays!

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  5. Everything about these cookies is so good.

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  6. Sounds good, love molasses cookies! Thsnks!

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  7. this is a christmas staple in my family--my mom makes them every year so i don't have to. :)

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  8. Mmmm! Such a perfect holiday cookie!

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  9. Yum! Love molasses cookies, and these look superb. Thanks!

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  10. I just made these cookies and my whole family loved them. I added 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper and 1/4 tsp cardamom

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  11. These were delicious!!

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