Chewy Soft Molasses Cookies

Featured in: One-Pot Rustic Meals

These warmly spiced molasses delights combine ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves for rich flavor. The dough, softened by melted butter and dark brown sugar, yields an irresistibly chewy texture. Rolled in granulated sugar before baking, each bite offers a crackled top and soft center. Simple preparation with no mixer needed, these treats suit easy holiday baking and keep well stored.

Updated on Fri, 28 Nov 2025 08:40:18 GMT
Warm, spiced chewy soft molasses cookies, crackled and glistening with sugar, baked to perfection. Save
Warm, spiced chewy soft molasses cookies, crackled and glistening with sugar, baked to perfection. | sagekettle.com

Classic, warmly spiced cookies with a deep molasses flavor and irresistibly chewy texture perfect for holiday baking. No mixer required!

This recipe has quickly become my holiday favorite because it requires no mixer and yields perfect chewy cookies every time

Ingredients

  • Dry Ingredients: 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground cloves ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg ¼ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • Wet Ingredients: ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter melted and cooled 1 cup (200 g) packed dark brown sugar ¼ cup (60 ml) unsulphured molasses 1 large egg room temperature 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • For Rolling: ⅓ cup (65 g) granulated sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix dry ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt, and baking soda.
Mix wet ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and brown sugar until smooth and glossy.
Add molasses etc:
Add molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Whisk until well combined.
Combine mixtures:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
Shape dough:
Scoop 1 ½ tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball.
Coat dough balls:
Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar to coat. Place balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
Bake cookies:
Bake, one sheet at a time, for 9–11 minutes, until cookies are set at the edges and tops appear crackled but centers are still soft.
Cool cookies:
Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
A stack of chewy soft molasses cookies, their dark color and sweet spice practically beckoning you. Save
A stack of chewy soft molasses cookies, their dark color and sweet spice practically beckoning you. | sagekettle.com

Our family loves gathering around the kitchen when these cookies bake filling the house with a warm comforting aroma

Required Tools

Mixing bowls whisk wooden spoon or spatula baking sheets parchment paper cookie scoop or tablespoon wire rack

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten) egg and dairy (butter) Check molasses and vanilla extract labels for possible allergens if sensitive

Nutritional Information

Calories 125 Total Fat 5 g Carbohydrates 20 g Protein 1 g per cookie

Freshly baked chewy soft molasses cookies, with a slight crackle on top, ideal for dunking in milk. Save
Freshly baked chewy soft molasses cookies, with a slight crackle on top, ideal for dunking in milk. | sagekettle.com

These cookies are easy to make and delightfully chewy perfect for sharing with friends and family

Recipe Q&A

What spices enhance the flavor of these molasses treats?

Ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and a touch of nutmeg provide a warm, inviting spice blend.

How can I achieve a chewy texture in these baked goods?

Using melted butter and dark brown sugar adds moisture and softness, while baking just until edges set keeps centers chewy.

Is a mixer necessary for preparation?

No mixer is required; ingredients can be combined with a whisk and wooden spoon for easy preparation.

What baking tips ensure crackled tops with soft centers?

Rolling dough balls in granulated sugar and baking at 350°F briefly produces crackled tops while maintaining soft centers.

How can I store these treats to maintain freshness?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days to preserve softness and flavor.

Can this method accommodate dairy-free alternatives?

Substituting plant-based butter works well without compromising texture or taste.

Chewy Soft Molasses Cookies

Warmly spiced, chewy molasses treats with a deep flavor and soft texture, perfect for holiday baking.

Setup Time
15 min
Time to Cook
10 min
Total Duration
25 min
Created by Elena Brooks

Classification One-Pot Rustic Meals

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Batch Size 24 Portions

Dietary Details Meat-free

Components

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups (8.75 oz) all-purpose flour
02 2 teaspoons ground ginger
03 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
04 ½ teaspoon ground cloves
05 ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 ¼ teaspoon salt
07 2 teaspoons baking soda

Wet Ingredients

01 ¾ cup (6 oz) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
02 1 cup (7 oz) packed dark brown sugar
03 ¼ cup (2 fl oz) unsulphured molasses
04 1 large egg, room temperature
05 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For Rolling

01 ⅓ cup (2.3 oz) granulated sugar

Directions

Step 01

Preheat oven and prepare sheets: Set oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 02

Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt, and baking soda until evenly mixed.

Step 03

Mix wet base: In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and brown sugar together until smooth and glossy.

Step 04

Add liquids to wet mixture: Incorporate molasses, egg, and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture. Whisk until combined.

Step 05

Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing.

Step 06

Portion dough: Scoop 1 ½ tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball.

Step 07

Coat dough balls: Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar to fully coat. Arrange balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.

Step 08

Bake cookies: Bake one sheet at a time for 9 to 11 minutes until edges set and tops show crackling, while centers remain soft.

Step 09

Cool and transfer: Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.

Tools Needed

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Cookie scoop or tablespoon
  • Wire rack

Allergy Alerts

Review every ingredient to spot possible allergens. Consult your doctor if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, and dairy (butter).
  • Verify molasses and vanilla extract for possible allergens when sensitive.

Nutrition Info (per portion)

Nutritional details are for reference and don't substitute medical advice.
  • Energy (Calories): 125
  • Lipids: 5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Proteins: 1 g