If your perfect cookie is one that practically melts in your mouth, with a crackled surface giving way to a rich, chewy center, then prepare to meet your new obsession.
They are a deep, dark hug in edible form, delivering a perfect trifecta of sweetness, spice, and moisture. Each bite explodes with the warmth of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, all bound together by the intense, almost earthy flavor of dark molasses. They’re the quintessential holiday treat, yet simple enough to bake any day you need a little comfort.
This is the one recipe you’ll revisit every autumn and winter; go ahead and bookmark this delightful recipe now. Achieving that ideal, pillowy texture isn’t hard, but it relies on a few simple secrets we’re ready to share.
When you pull these plump, sugared orbs from the oven, their heady aroma will fill your home, promising a soft, satisfying chew that holds up for days. Forget stale, hard cookies—this is your definitive guide to a molasses masterpiece.
Super Soft Molasses Cookies
Description
These aren't your grandmother's crisp ginger snaps; this is the definitive recipe for the Super Soft Molasses Cookie.
Each cookie is a delightful contradiction: wonderfully chewy at the center with a slightly crackled, sugar-dusted exterior. They deliver a comforting complexity that transcends simple sweetness.
The secret to their plush texture is a precise balance of dark molasses and leavening, ensuring they bake up thick rather than spreading thin.
The flavor profile is a harmonious blend of classic autumnal spices—bold ginger, warm cinnamon, and clove—deepened by the rich, bittersweet note of molasses.
Rolled generously in granulated sugar before baking, they emerge with a glistening, sparkling crust and a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. They are, quite simply, the embodiment of cozy comfort and guaranteed to become a new cold-weather favorite.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Whip the Fat and Sweeteners
Using a stand mixer equipped with the paddle attachment, introduce the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar into the bowl. Beat the contents on medium speed for a full 3 to 4 minutes. This aeration process—known as creaming—is essential for introducing air, which forms the foundation of the cookie's lofty, pillowy texture. Pause to sweep the bowl's edges with a spatula. Follow this by incorporating the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, mixing until the blend is uniform and exhibits a shiny appearance.
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Introduce Dry Ingredients and Chill
In a separate, intermediate bowl, thoroughly blend the flour, spices, leaveners, and salt using a wire whisk. While the mixer is running at its slowest setting, slowly stream the dry blend into the moist mixture. Mix only until the ingredients are just incorporated; halt the mixer immediately once the flour disappears, as excessive mixing can lead to tough cookies. Securely cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight, to firm the butter and restrict spreading. -
Preheat and Setup
Set your oven temperature to 375∘F (190 ∘ C). Prepare two large baking trays by covering them with either parchment paper or non-stick silicone mats. Set aside a small bowl of granulated sugar for coating.
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Portion and Sugar-Coat
Scoop the chilled dough into balls, using about 1.5 tablespoons per cookie. Take each ball and roll it thoroughly in the reserved granulated sugar until its surface is completely dusted. Arrange the sugar-coated portions onto the prepared trays, maintaining a clear distance of at least 2 inches between them. -
Bake and Set
Place the trays in the preheated oven and bake for a duration of 9 to 12 minutes. The cookies are finished when the circumference is firm but the center still appears soft and slightly domed. After removing them from the oven, let the cookies rest on the hot baking sheet for 5 minutes to allow the structure to stabilize, then relocate them to a wire rack to finish cooling entirely.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 24
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 140kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 6g10%
- Saturated Fat 3g15%
- Cholesterol 15mg5%
- Sodium 120mg5%
- Total Carbohydrate 22g8%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 14g
- Protein 2g4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
The perfect molasses cookie is a study in texture: deeply chewy at the center, crackled and slightly crisp on the edges, and melt-in-your-mouth soft throughout.
More than just a simple gingerbread cousin, this cookie provides a complex flavor profile—spicy, sweet, and comforting. Achieving that signature "super soft" quality is a science, and mastering it requires a few key techniques.
Pro Tips for Pillowy Softness
The texture of a molasses cookie hinges on moisture retention and leavening. Here’s how to ensure your cookies never turn out brittle or dry:
- The Molasses Magic: Always use unsulfured, dark molasses (like Grandma’s or robust varieties). Crucially, molasses is a humectant, meaning it holds onto moisture. The more robust the molasses, the richer the color and chewier the texture. Light molasses won't deliver the same depth or softness.
- Double Leavening Power: The combination of baking soda and the acid in the molasses is fundamental. Using extra baking soda beyond standard recipes is necessary to react with the molasses, which helps the cookies puff up initially before they fall slightly, creating those beautiful surface cracks and ensuring a thick, chewy interior.
- The Sugar Coating Trick: Before baking, rolling the dough balls in granulated sugar does more than just decorate them. As the cookies bake, the sugar caramelizes, creating a slight crust that locks the interior moisture inside, guaranteeing a wonderfully soft core.
Serving Tricks and Pairings
Molasses cookies are incredibly flavorful on their own, but smart serving enhances the experience and makes them an elegant treat.
- Warming Dip: Serve warm cookies with a small bowl of slightly spiced lemon curd or a simple cream cheese frosting. The citrusy tang provides a refreshing counterpoint to the cookie's deep spice profile.
- Beverage Pairings: These robust cookies pair beautifully with strong, dark beverages. Try serving them alongside a mug of steaming coffee, a glass of cold spiced milk, or a sophisticated chai latte. The warmth and depth of the drinks complement the ginger and clove notes perfectly.
Creative Flavor Variations
Once you master the base recipe, it's easy to introduce complementary flavors that maintain the cookies' signature softness.
- The Citrus Zest Brightener: Add the zest of one full orange or lemon to the dough along with the liquid ingredients. The essential oils from the zest mingle with the spices, creating a bright, aromatic lift that prevents the cookie from tasting too heavy.
- Spicy Black Pepper: For a sophisticated edge, incorporate 41 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper into the dry ingredients. The subtle heat from the pepper adds an unexpected warmth that elevates the spice blend without making the cookies spicy.
- Nutty Crunch: Introduce a textural contrast by folding in 21 cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts just before chilling the dough. The nuts add a pleasant crunch against the soft interior.
- White Chocolate Swirl: Substitute the granulated sugar coating with raw sugar (for texture) and fold in 21 cup of white chocolate chips into the dough. White chocolate's sweetness is a delightful match for the rich, dark molasses.
Storage :
- The Bread Slice Trick: To keep cookies moist for up to a week, place half a slice of plain white bread in the airtight container with the cookies. Replace the slice of bread every few days as it dries out.
- Freezing Dough: Molasses cookie dough freezes exceptionally well. When ready to bake, roll the frozen balls in granulated sugar and bake immediately, adding a minute or two to the cook time.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Cool them completely, then stack them with layers of parchment paper in a heavy-duty container. Thaw them overnight at room temperature to regain their original softness.
Conclusion
The secret to a Super Soft Molasses Cookie lies in understanding its key ingredients: the molasses as a humectant, the creaming of the fat and sugar for air incorporation, and the mandatory chilling phase to control spread.
By implementing these tips—especially the double-leavening and the simple bread-in-the-container storage trick—you can guarantee a batch of thick, chewy, beautifully cracked cookies every time.
They are the definition of spiced comfort, perfect for sharing or savoring with a warm drink on a cool evening.
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