Grandma’s Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe: A Sweet Family Treasure

Grandma’s molasses cookies melt hearts with their nostalgic charm and buttery softness.

Sweet memories dance through her kitchen, where generations have savored these comforting treats.

Spices whisper stories of bygone days, infusing each bite with warmth and love.

Crisp edges give way to a tender center that beckons you closer.

Rich molasses creates a deep, complex flavor profile that distinguishes these cookies from ordinary sweets.

Simple ingredients blend into magic, transforming humble pantry staples into an irresistible delicacy.

Fall in love with this treasured recipe that promises to become your new favorite comfort food.

Grandma’s Irresistibly Soft Molasses Cookies Features

• Nostalgic Comfort: Grandma's classic recipe brings warm memories of home-baked goodness, capturing the essence of traditional family baking with its rich molasses flavor.
• Crowd-Pleasing Simplicity: Incredibly straightforward preparation makes these cookies perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned kitchen pros.
• Texture Perfection: Carefully crafted technique ensures a wonderfully soft, chewy center with a delightful sugary exterior that melts in your mouth, creating an irresistible cookie experience.
• Versatile Treat: Ideal for holiday gatherings, afternoon tea, school lunches, or as a comforting snack that brings people together with its inviting aroma and delicious taste.

Ingredients Needed in Grandma’s Irresistibly Soft Molasses Cookies

• Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure to the classic molasses cookies.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and creates a soft, tender texture.
• Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves: Warm spices that add depth and traditional flavor to the cookies.
• Salt: Enhances the overall taste and balances the sweetness.

• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and contributes to the soft texture of the cookies.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a delightful crisp exterior.
• Molasses: Gives the cookies their signature rich, deep flavor and dark color.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness to the cookie dough.

• Granulated Sugar: Adds a sparkling exterior and creates a slight crunch when the cookies are rolled before baking.

How to Bake Grandma’s Irresistibly Soft Molasses Cookies

Step 1: Whisking Dry Ingredients

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Use a whisk to blend everything together until perfectly mixed and smooth.

Step 2: Blending Wet Components

In a separate bowl, whisk together vegetable oil and sugar until they create a smooth mixture. Add molasses and egg, stirring until the ingredients become fully incorporated and silky.

Step 3: Creating Cookie Dough

Slowly fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Gently mix until just combined, being careful not to overmeat the dough.

The key is maintaining a soft, tender texture.

Step 4: Chilling the Dough

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator.

Let it rest for at least 2 hours. This cooling process helps develop rich flavors and ensures perfect cookie consistency.

Step 5: Preparing the Oven

Heat the oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and ensure easy cookie removal.

Step 6: Shaping Sweet Treats

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into small balls. Gently coat each ball in granulated sugar, creating a sparkling exterior that will caramelize beautifully while baking.

Step 7: Baking to Perfection

Arrange cookie balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges turn light golden and centers remain soft and chewy.

Step 8: Cooling and Enjoying

Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

They’ll naturally flatten, creating that irresistible soft texture grandma was famous for.

Tips on Perfecting Grandma’s Irresistibly Soft Molasses Cookies

• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their soft, chewy texture and prevent them from drying out.
• Experiment with adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to enhance the warm, complex flavor profile of these classic molasses cookies.
• Ensure dough is thoroughly chilled before baking to help cookies maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
• Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Prepare cookie dough balls in advance and freeze them, allowing you to bake fresh cookies whenever a craving strikes without starting from scratch.

Flavor Variations in Grandma’s Irresistibly Soft Molasses Cookies

• Gluten-Free Molasses Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Spice Cookies: Swap egg with flax egg (ground flaxseed mixed with water) and use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil to create a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Sugar Molasses Treat: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining the classic molasses flavor.
• Nutty Crunch Variation: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough for extra texture and a rich, toasted flavor profile.

Pairing Suggestions That Suit Grandma’s Irresistibly Soft Molasses Cookies

• Complement the rich, spicy molasses cookies with a steaming mug of apple cider heated with cinnamon sticks and cloves, mirroring the cookie's warm spice profile.
• Serve a scoop of smooth, cold vanilla ice cream alongside the cookies for a delightful temperature and texture contrast that highlights the cookie's soft, chewy nature.
• Pair the cookies with a homemade salted caramel latte, where the caramel's sweetness and coffee's depth perfectly balance the deep molasses and warming spices in the cookie.

Storage Guidelines for Grandma’s Irresistibly Soft Molasses Cookies

• Place cooled cookies in an airtight container with wax paper between layers. Cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days at cool temperatures.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe ziplock bags. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for soft texture.
• Keep cookies in sealed container with tight lid at room temperature. Best consumed within 3 days for maximum freshness and soft consistency.
• Warm cookies briefly in microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in preheated oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore original soft, chewy texture.

FAQs

• Why do I need to chill the dough for 2 hours?

Chilling the dough helps solidify the fat, prevents spreading during baking, and allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a more developed and richer taste in your molasses cookies.

• Can I use margarine instead of vegetable oil?

While you can substitute, vegetable oil helps create a softer, more tender cookie texture compared to margarine. Margarine might make the cookies slightly denser and less chewy.

• How do I know if I've overmixed the dough?

Overmixing develops gluten, which can make cookies tough. Stop mixing as soon as the dry and wet ingredients are just combined, with no visible flour streaks. The dough should look just barely integrated.

Grandmas Irresistibly Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Grandma’s irresistibly soft molasses cookies blend nostalgic warmth with spicy comfort from generations past. Fragrant spices and rich molasses create a homemade treasure that connects you to cherished family memories.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking soda

Wet Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup full-flavor molasses
• 1 large egg (room temperature)

Sweeteners:

• 1 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for rolling)

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Instructions

1. Sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt in a spacious mixing vessel, creating a harmonious dry ingredient blend.
2. Whisk vegetable oil and sugar in a separate bowl until thoroughly integrated, then incorporate molasses and egg, stirring until smooth and uniform.
3. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain cookie tenderness and prevent tough texture.
4. Encase dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours at 40°F, allowing flavors to meld and dough to solidify.
5. Heat oven to 375°F, positioning racks in central zone. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent adhesion.
6. Craft uniform spheres using tablespoon-sized dough portions, delicately rolling each in granulated sugar for a crystalline exterior.
7. Arrange cookie orbs 2 inches apart on prepared sheets, ensuring adequate spacing for expansion during baking.
8. Bake 8-10 minutes until edges transform to golden amber and centers remain delicately soft, indicating perfect doneness.
9. Rest cookies on baking sheet for 5 minutes, permitting gentle settling, then transfer to wire cooling rack for complete temperature reduction.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to enhance flavor depth and prevent spreading during baking, ensuring perfectly round cookies with rich molasses undertones.
• Use freshly ground spices for maximum aromatic intensity, boosting the warm, comforting flavor profile of these classic cookies.
• Adjust baking time slightly for softer or crispier results—8 minutes yields a chewier texture, while 10 minutes creates a slightly crunchier edge.
• For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the cookie’s signature soft and spicy character.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 135 kcal
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg