Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies Recipe

I absolutely love sinking my teeth into these soft ginger molasses cookies—they’re like little pockets of warmth and spice that just brighten up any day. This Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies Recipe is something I turn to whenever I want that perfect balance of chewy softness and rich, cozy flavors. Whether it’s a chilly afternoon or a holiday bake-off, these cookies never fail to bring smiles around my kitchen.

What makes this recipe stand out is how tender and melt-in-your-mouth these cookies stay, even days after baking. You’ll find that this Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies Recipe is easy enough to whip up on a whim, yet special enough to impress your family and friends. The combination of spices and molasses adds a truly unique depth that you don’t get with typical ginger cookies.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients in this Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies Recipe come together beautifully to create that soft, flavorful cookie we all crave. I recommend using fresh spices for the best aromatic touch and real molasses with a robust flavor.

• All-purpose flour: The base of your cookie dough, making sure you measure it accurately helps maintain the perfect chewy texture.
• Baking soda: This is the leavening agent that helps the cookies puff just right without becoming cakey.
• Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth, complementing the ginger beautifully.
• Ground ginger: The star spice here—freshly ground or good-quality ground ginger makes a big difference.
• Ground cloves: Just a touch to add an earthy, spicy note that elevates the flavor.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the spices.
• Cardamom (optional): I love this little addition for a subtle fragrant boost if you’re feeling adventurous.
• Unsalted butter, melted and cooled: Melting the butter gives the dough a delicate chew and richness.
• Granulated sugar: Works with the brown sugar to add sweetness and crunch.
• Brown sugar, packed: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor.
• Large egg: Helps bind everything with just the right softness.
• Molasses: This is the magic ingredient that adds deep, rich flavor and moisture.
• Coarse or granulated sugar for rolling: I use turbinado sugar for the pretty sparkle and subtle crunch on top.

Variations

I love to shake things up with this Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies Recipe by adding my own twist depending on the season or occasion. You can easily tweak the spices or sweetness to suit your taste or dietary needs.

• Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and be sure to check your spices are gluten-free too—I’ve had great success with this switch.
• Extra Spicy: Add a pinch more ground ginger and a dash of cayenne for a spicy kick that wakes up your palate.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Once cooled, drizzle melted dark chocolate on top—it’s a big hit in my house during the holidays.
• Nutty Add-In: Fold in chopped pecans or walnuts for some crunch and a different texture dimension.

How to Make Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients Carefully

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get everything ready. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and cardamom if you’re using it. I like to give a good whisk so all the spices are evenly distributed—that helps each cookie have balanced flavor.

Step 2: Whip the Wet Ingredients Until Fluffy

In a large bowl, beat the melted and cooled butter with granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, and molasses on medium speed for about 2 minutes. When I first tried this recipe, I didn’t whip the mixture long enough and my cookies came out flat. So trust me when I say, this step is key—your batter should look lighter in color and smooth, almost like peanut butter consistency.

Step 3: Combine Flour Mixture Gently

While your mixer is on the lowest setting, slowly add the flour mixture bit by bit to the wet ingredients. Don’t dump it all in at once or you’ll end up with flour everywhere—a mistake I learned the hard way! Stop mixing as soon as you see no more streaks of flour; overmixing will make your cookies tough instead of soft.

Step 4: Shape and Sugar Coat the Dough Balls

Pour your coarse sugar, like turbinado, into a shallow bowl or plate. Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop or spoon, portion out the dough and roll it gently between your hands into balls. Then, roll each ball in the sugar until fully coated before placing on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure to leave about 2 inches between cookies because they’ll spread as they bake.

Step 5: Bake, Cool, and Enjoy

Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes until they’re puffed, slightly spread, and have those lovely cracks on top. I like to cool them on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack, as they’re fragile when warm. This little cooldown lets them set without falling apart—then you’re ready to dive in!

How to Serve Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love serving these with a dusting of powdered sugar or a light drizzle of melted white chocolate for a little festive touch. Sometimes, I top them with a pinch of flaky sea salt to contrast the sweetness—it’s a game-changer that I stumbled upon one afternoon making tea-time treats.

Side Dishes

Pair these Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies Recipe treats with a hot cup of chai tea, coffee, or even a glass of cold milk. At holiday gatherings, I like to include them alongside nutty cheeses and fresh fruit for that perfect sweet-savory combo.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging my ginger molasses cookies in a wreath shape on a platter, garnished with sprigs of fresh rosemary or cinnamon sticks. It makes a simple cookie instantly eye-catching and festive, plus guests love grabbing a cookie from the ‘wreath’!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking, I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—I’ve found they stay perfectly soft for up to 4 days this way. To keep that fresh, just layer parchment paper between layers so they don’t stick.

Freezing

You can freeze both the dough balls and the baked cookies. I like to freeze dough balls on a tray first, then transfer them to an airtight bag. When baked from frozen, just add an extra minute or two to the baking time—and enjoy fresh cookies anytime!

Reheating

To warm up leftovers, I pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes. This brings back that freshly baked softness and aroma, making them feel like you just pulled them out of the oven.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it balances ease with incredible flavor and texture. I love sharing these with friends and family, and I’m sure once you try them, you’ll keep coming back to this recipe like I do. Give it a go—you won’t regret having a batch of these soft, spiced cookies ready to brighten your day!

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