Super Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe

If you’ve been on the hunt for the kind of cookie that melts in your mouth and fills your kitchen with nostalgic, comforting aromas, look no further than these Super Soft Molasses Cookies. Warm spices and deep, rich molasses combine in every bite, creating a cookie that’s deliciously chewy on the inside, delicately crisp on the outside, and utterly irresistible. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or simply craving a timeless homemade treat, this recipe brings together just the right blend of spice, sweetness, and that classic molasses depth. These Super Soft Molasses Cookies are sure to be loved by friends, family, and, most importantly, you!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Super Soft Molasses Cookies is how each simple ingredient plays its own essential role. These pantry staples work together to create their unforgettable flavor, texture, and signature crackled top.

• All-Purpose Flour: The base for our cookies, giving them structure while keeping them tender.
• Ground Cloves: Just a touch adds a warm, slightly sweet spice that’s key to the classic flavor.
• Ground Ginger: Offers a zesty kick and helps build that traditional molasses cookie aroma.
• Baking Soda: Acts as a leavening agent, giving your cookies a lovely rise and soft texture.
• Ground Cinnamon: Brings warmth and coziness, balancing out the richness of the molasses.
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.
• Vegetable Oil: The secret to keeping these cookies extra moist and soft, from the first day to the last.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and that glistening finish when rolled on the outside.
• Full Flavor Molasses: The star of the show, giving Super Soft Molasses Cookies their deep color and rich, irresistible taste.
• Large Egg (room temperature): Helps bind everything together and adds just enough moisture for a supple dough.
• Extra Sugar (for rolling): Rolling each dough ball in sugar adds crunch and a beautiful sparkling finish.

How to Make Super Soft Molasses Cookies

Step 1: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cloves, ground ginger, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. This not only evenly distributes the spices throughout the dough but also eliminates any lumps, setting the base for perfectly balanced Super Soft Molasses Cookies.

Step 2: Cream Oil and Sugar

Using your hand mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, blend the vegetable oil and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and well-combined. This step is crucial for achieving that signature soft texture and ensuring every bite is sweet and moist.

Step 3: Add Molasses and Egg

Pour in the full flavor molasses and crack in your room temperature egg. Beat until everything is thoroughly blended. The molasses not only colors the dough but also adds that unmistakable depth and chewiness to your Super Soft Molasses Cookies.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the whisked dry ingredients. Mix just until combined—overmixing can make the cookies dense, and we want them nice and soft! Scrape down the sides as needed to make sure all dry pockets are incorporated.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours, or until firm and easy to handle. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and helps intensify the flavors.

Step 6: Preheat and Prep

Once the dough is chilled, move your oven rack to the 2nd level (just above the center) and preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats—this ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off easily.

Step 7: Shape and Sugar-Coat

Using a spoon or a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out 1-inch balls of dough. Roll each one in a bowl of granulated sugar until fully coated, then space them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. This gives every cookie a sparkly, gently crisp exterior.

Step 8: Bake and Cool

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are set and the tops are puffy—they’ll flatten as they cool. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Now you get to enjoy your batch of perfect Super Soft Molasses Cookies!

How to Serve Super Soft Molasses Cookies

Garnishes

A simple dusting of powdered sugar adds an extra touch of wintery magic, while a drizzle of white chocolate or even a pinch of flaky sea salt can make these Super Soft Molasses Cookies feel straight out of a bakery. For a little added sparkle, try adding sanding sugar before baking.

Side Dishes

These cookies go exceptionally well with a hot cup of coffee or spiced chai, and they’re unforgettable with a cool glass of milk. If you’re serving them at a gathering, consider pairing with seasonal fruits like pears or apples, or even alongside a creamy vanilla ice cream for a dreamy dessert plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack a handful of Super Soft Molasses Cookies and tie them with a pretty ribbon for an adorable homemade gift. Arrange them on a festive platter for the holidays, or tuck them into lunchboxes with a note for a sweet surprise. For a fun twist, press a chocolate kiss in the center just as they come out of the oven!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Super Soft Molasses Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature; they’ll stay wonderfully soft for up to a week. Layer parchment paper between them to keep the sugar coating intact and prevent sticking.

Freezing

To freeze baked cookies, let them cool completely before sealing in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. For the freshest flavor, you can also freeze the unbaked, sugar-coated dough balls—just add a minute or two to the baking time when you’re ready to bake straight from the freezer.

Reheating

If your Super Soft Molasses Cookies lose a bit of their signature softness, a quick 5-second zap in the microwave will revive their chewy magic. For that just-baked aroma, you can warm a few in a low oven (about 300ºF) for a couple of minutes.

FAQs

Can I use blackstrap molasses instead of full flavor molasses?

Blackstrap molasses is much stronger and more bitter than full flavor molasses, so your cookies will have a much more intense taste and can be slightly drier. For classic Super Soft Molasses Cookies, stick with full flavor or “robust” molasses for the best balance of sweetness and richness.

Why do my cookies come out dry or cakey?

Overmixing the dough or baking too long will lead to drier, cakier cookies. Be sure to mix only until the ingredients are just incorporated, and remove the cookies from the oven as soon as they’re puffed and the edges are set. They’ll continue to cook a bit as they cool on the baking sheet.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute your favorite measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Just keep an eye on the dough texture—it might be slightly more fragile, but the cookies will still be soft and flavorful.

Do I really need to chill the dough?

Yes, chilling the dough is key for Super Soft Molasses Cookies that bake up thick, chewy, and crackly. It prevents excessive spreading and gives the spices and molasses time to meld, creating that classic taste and soft interior.

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?

You sure can! Just double all ingredients as written, and refrigerate the dough in two separate bowls to ensure it chills evenly. Bake in batches for a big batch of crowd-pleasing Super Soft Molasses Cookies.

Final Thoughts

There’s something so comforting and joyful about sharing a batch of Super Soft Molasses Cookies, whether it’s with family, friends, or just a quiet moment for yourself. Every bite offers that perfect blend of cozy spices and deep molasses sweetness—so don’t wait for a special occasion, go ahead and give this recipe a try. Your cookie jar will thank you!

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