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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Servings 24
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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.
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:
Molasses cookies are incredibly flavorful on their own, but smart serving enhances the experience and makes them an elegant treat.
Once you master the base recipe, it's easy to introduce complementary flavors that maintain the cookies' signature softness.
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.
