Old Fashioned Soft Molasses Cookies - The Salty Marshmallow (2024)

Old Fashioned Soft Molasses Cookies – These molasses cookies are an old-fashionedholiday favorite! Super soft and packed with the amazing, rich flavors of molasses, ginger, and cinnamon. Just like Grandma used to make!

This recipe was originally posted on November 8, 2017! The recipe stays the same and most people have had great success with it. The reason I am revamping and republishing this is that I have written a more thorough post to answer readers questions!

What do Molasses Cookies Taste Like?

Molasses cookies have a very distinct spice flavor. This comes from the use of ground cinnamon and ginger, as well as the rich flavor of dark molasses. They taste somewhat like a gingersnap cookie, however, they are more subtle and soft instead of crisp.

How to Make Molasses Cookies:

• Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees. You will want to line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for best results. If you don’t have parchment paper, you can use non-stick cooking spray.
• You can use a large bowl with a hand-held mixer, or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for this recipe.
• Start by beating together your butter, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, and molasses until well combined. This will take about 2-3 minutes.
• Next, you can add your flour, baking soda, salt, and spices right into the mixer and mix just for about 1 minute until the dough comes together.
• Shape your dough into balls that are about 1 1/2 inches. You can do this with your hands, a Tablespoon measure, or a cookie scoop. Whatever is easier for you!
• Roll the dough balls in granulated sugar and then place on the baking sheet 2 inches apart.
• These cookies will bake for 13-15 minutes. As soon as they come out of the oven you will want to scoop them up with a spatula and allow them to cool on a wire rack.

There aren’t a ton of tips for making these cookies because they are so very simple, but let’s talk about a few things I do to make them their very best!

Tips and Tricks for Making Molasses Cookies:

• Make sure you are using DARK MOLASSES for this recipe. Light molasses won’t be flavorful enough, while blackstrap molasses is too bitter.
• Use butter instead of shortening. The old version of this recipe uses shortening. I’m personally not a fan and much prefer the taste of butter, and I also think the cookies come out even softer this way.
• I omit ground cloves because the flavor always seems to overpower the cookies and it’s just my preference. If you love that clove flavor, feel free to add a pinch right in!
• Don’t let these overbake. These always take exactly 13 minutes in my oven. Since oven times vary I suggest checking them at 13 minutes in and then baking for another minute or two if necessary. They should look slightly wet when you take them out of the oven.

These molasses cookies come out perfect! Slightly crisp around the edges with a super soft, melt in your mouth, center! You’re going to love them!

Enjoy!

~Nichole

If you’re looking for other great cookie recipes definitely try my Soft Batch Sprinkle Cookies and my Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies!

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