Best 9 Molasses Gingerbread Cookies Recipes

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Searching for a delicious treat with a warm and inviting aroma? Look no further than molasses gingerbread cookies! For centuries, gingerbread cookies have been a beloved holiday tradition, treasured for their distinct flavor and festive appearance. These soft and chewy delights are incredibly versatile, allowing for endless variations in shape, decoration, and taste. Let's embark on a culinary adventure to discover the secrets of crafting the best molasses gingerbread cookies that will bring joy to your kitchen and a smile to your loved ones' faces.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

MOLASSES-GINGERBREAD COOKIES



Molasses-Gingerbread Cookies image

These cookies have a dark color and a pronounced molasses flavor. If you are making the Gingerbread Town-Square Cake, you can use this template to trace and cut out the different townhouse shapes.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Yield Makes about 2 dozen town houses, 4 dozen deer or trees, or 6 dozen men

Number Of Ingredients 12

5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons ground ginger
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 sticks (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup packed dark-brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups unsulfured molasses
Royal Icing for Gingerbread Cookies

Steps:

  • Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and spices in a medium bowl.
  • Beat butter and sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in molasses. Reduce speed to low. Gradually add flour mixture, and beat until just combined. Divide dough into 3 portions, and wrap each in plastic. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a generously floured piece of parchment, roll dough to a scant 1/4 inch thick. Brush off excess flour. Slide dough and parchment onto baking sheets, and freeze for 15 minutes.
  • Cut out desired shapes. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets, and freeze for 15 minutes.
  • Bake cookies for 6 minutes. Remove sheets from oven, and tap them firmly on counter to flatten cookies. Return to oven, rotating sheets, and bake until crisp but not darkened, 6 to 8 minutes more. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.
  • Spoon icing into a pastry bag fitted with a very small plain round tip (such as Ateco #0 or #1). Pipe designs on cookies. Let cookies stand at room temperature until set, at least 2 hours (preferably overnight).

CHEWY GINGER MOLASSES COOKIES



Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies image

Molasses adds sweetness to these cookies and gives chewiness to every bite. Eat at least one warm right off the cooling rack with a tumbler of cold milk.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 15m

Yield Makes: about 2 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar, plus more for rolling
1/3 cup molasses
1 large egg

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Whisk the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  • Beat the butter and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until well combined, about 3 minutes. Add the molasses and egg and beat until lighter in color, about 3 minutes. Add the flour mixture and mix on low until well blended.
  • Using a tablespoon, form the dough into 1-inch balls and roll in sugar. Place each ball 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until golden and crackled, 12 to 15 minutes; the cookies will still be a little soft. Baking these in 3 batches one sheet at a time gets you the nice, crackly top. The second sheet of cookies can stay on the counter until ready to bake. Form the remaining dough, roll the balls in sugar and place on the now cooled first baking sheet. Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, and then remove to a rack to cool completely.

SUNNY'S GINGER MOLASSES COOKIES



Sunny's Ginger Molasses Cookies image

Provided by Sunny Anderson

Categories     dessert

Time 1h20m

Yield 24 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) salted butter, softened
2 tablespoons unsulfured molasses
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 large egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
About 1/3 cup granulated sugar, for dusting
24 pieces crystallized ginger candy (1/2- to 1-inch pieces)

Steps:

  • Blend the wet: In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl using a hand mixer on medium, blend the sugar and butter until lighter in color and fluffy. Add the molasses and ginger and blend until smooth. Then add in the egg and blend until incorporated.
  • Add the dry: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and pumpkin pie spice. Reduce the mixer speed and add the flour mixture in 3 parts, slowly blending and scraping the sides of the bowl to include all the dough. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Roll, bake and top: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Pour enough sugar into a small bowl to dust the cookies (about 1/3 cup).
  • Using a small melon baller or ice scream scoop, make 24 balls of cookie dough and roll each in the sugar to coat on all sides. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets 1 inch apart and gently press each down.
  • Bake until the bottoms and edges are browned slightly, about 12 minutes; remove from the oven and immediately push a ginger candy in the center of each cookie so that it cools with it locked in place. Slide the cookies off the sheet by pulling the parchment paper off the sheet and onto a cooling rack. Cool before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 days.

CHEWY GINGERBREAD MOLASSES COOKIES



Chewy Gingerbread Molasses Cookies image

These cookies are what Christmas tastes like! This recipe makes a fairly big batch, which is perfect for sharing with friends and guests. If you like thick chewy cookies, it will make about 48. If you like them smaller or thin, it would be most practical to make a half batch, or you'll be cutting out cookies for the whole day! The prep time listed is approximate because the time involved is proportionate to the size of your cookies. You can also prepare the dough ahead of time, freeze it, then bake them later.

Provided by Entropy

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h15m

Yield 48-100 Cookies, 48 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup margarine
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
1/4 cup water
5 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon ginger (or to taste)
1 tablespoon cinnamon (or to taste)
1 teaspoon allspice (or to taste)

Steps:

  • Place margarine in large mixing bowl; soften it in a microwave for a few seconds.
  • Cream sugar and margarine; add molasses and water.
  • Combine flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and allspice.
  • Add to the mixing bowl; mix together.
  • Let dough cool, covered, in freezer for at least one hour.
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Roll out dough; cut out with cookie cutters.
  • If the cookies are thin, bake for 6 minutes.
  • If cookies are thick, bake for 8 minutes.
  • Cookies will appear slightly underbaked but that's what makes them taste so good and chewy!
  • Cool cookies on a wire rack.
  • These cookies stand their own without frosting, but if you want to frost them, mix a cup of powdered sugar with a little water to make frosting. Draw a few accent lines or dots on the cookies.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 101.7, Fat 2, SaturatedFat 0.4, Sodium 64.5, Carbohydrate 19.6, Fiber 0.5, Sugar 8.1, Protein 1.4

NEW ENGLAND MOLASSES GINGERBREAD COOKIES



New England Molasses Gingerbread Cookies image

Categories     Cookies     Ginger     Bake     Christmas     Spice     Winter     Molasses     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes about 50

Number Of Ingredients 22

Dough
6 cups (about) all purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon salt
11 tablespoons (1 stick plus 3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup solid vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup mild-flavored (light) molasses
1 1/2teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 large egg
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons water
1 teaspoon baking soda
Icing
3 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons light corn syrup
Water
Food coloring (optional)
Decorations (such as colored sugar crystals)

Steps:

  • For dough:
  • Combine 5 1/4 cups flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt in medium bowl; whisk to blend well. Using electric mixer, beat butter and shortening in large bowl to blend. Add 1 cup sugar, molasses, and lemon peel and beat until smooth. Beat in egg and buttermilk. Stir 2 teaspoons water and baking soda in small cup to blend; beat into butter mixture. Beat in flour mixture in 2 additions. Stir in more flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until slightly firm dough forms. Divide dough into 3 equal parts. Shape each into disk. Wrap disks and chill until firm enough to roll, at least 2 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated. Soften slightly before rolling out.)
  • Working with 1 disk at a time, roll out dough between sheets of waxed paper to 16x12-inch rectangle, occasionally lifting paper to smooth out wrinkles. Using 4- to 5-inch cutters, cut out boy and girl gingerbread people. Pull away excess dough around cutouts; flatten, wrap, and chill excess dough. Slide rimless baking sheet or inverted baking sheet under waxed paper with cutouts and chill until firm. Repeat with remaining dough disks, refrigerating cutouts on waxed paper on baking sheets. Roll out excess dough and make more cookies, using all of dough. (Cutout cookies can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; keep chilled.)
  • Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Using thin metal spatula, lift chilled cookies off waxed paper and transfer to baking sheet, spacing 1 inch apart. Bake until darker at edges and just firm to touch in center, about 12 minutes. Cool on sheet 5 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool completely. Bake remaining cookies, 1 sheet at a time.
  • For icing:
  • Sift powdered sugar into medium bowl. Mix in lemon juice and corn syrup. Mix in enough water by teaspoonfuls to form smooth icing soft enough to pipe but firm enough to hold shape. Divide into 3 or 4 portions and tint with food coloring, if desired.
  • Spoon icing into pastry bag (or bags if using more than 1 color) fitted with small (1/16- to 1/8-inch) plain tip. Arrange cookies on work surface. Pipe icing onto cookies in desired patterns. Apply decorations as desired. Let cookies stand until icing is dry. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Store cookies airtight between sheets of waxed paper at room temperature.)

GRANDMA'S® MOLASSES GINGER COOKIES



Grandma's® Molasses Ginger Cookies image

Soft and chewy ginger cookies that will have everyone asking for more. Recipe courtesy of Sue Hoagland.

Provided by Grandma's Molasses

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Molasses Cookie Recipes

Time 8h30m

Yield 48

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 ½ cups sugar, plus more for sprinkling
2 sticks butter, softened
¾ cup Grandma's® Original Molasses
1 egg
1 teaspoon Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract
3 cups flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon Clabber Girl® Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Clabber Girl® Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Spice Islands® Ground Nutmeg
1 teaspoon Spice Islands® Ground Cloves
1 tablespoon Spice Islands® Ground Ginger
1 tablespoon Spice Islands ® Ground Saigon Cinnamon

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, whip together sugar, butter, molasses, egg, and vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and spices until dough comes together. Wrap well and refrigerate overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Roll cookie dough into 1-inch balls and roll in sugar to coat. Arrange on rimmed baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 109.6 calories, Carbohydrate 17.9 g, Cholesterol 13.6 mg, Fat 4 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 47.2 mg, Sugar 11.1 g

MOLASSES-GINGERBREAD COOKIE DOUGH



Molasses-Gingerbread Cookie Dough image

This recipe is used to make our Swedish Gingerbread House, Gingerbread Facade, and Snow-Swept Gingerbread Cottage.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Yield Makes enough for one house, plus embellishments

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 1/4 cups packed dark-brown sugar
3/4 cup unsulfured molasses
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 1/4 cups milk
1 tablespoon baking powder
6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • Combine brown sugar, molasses, butter, spices, and salt in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until sugar is dissolved, about 10 minutes. Stir in milk. Remove from heat, and let cool.
  • Pour milk mixture into a mixing bowl; add baking powder and flour. With an electric mixer, and beginning on low speed and increasing to medium, beat until well combined. Divide dough in half; shape into disks. Wrap in plastic, and refrigerate overnight. Dough can be frozen up to 1 month; thaw in the refrigerator before using.

CHRISTMAS MOLASSES AND GINGER COOKIES



Christmas Molasses and Ginger Cookies image

I got this recipe out of one of my mother's cookbooks and tried it one Christmas Eve with her. They were amazing! My brother even loved them, and he is the pickiest person I know. When they were done I threw one to my dog. They are now his favorite treat of all. Hopefully, you will love this recipe as much as we do!

Provided by puzzleperson

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Spice Cookie Recipes

Time 2h

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 ⅓ cups molasses
⅔ cup packed brown sugar
⅔ cup butter, softened
5 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 eggs
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Beat molasses, brown sugar, and butter together in a bowl until smooth. Mix flour, eggs, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger, and salt into molasses mixture until incorporated. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Heavily flour a cloth-covered work surface.
  • Roll dough on the floured cloth into 1/4-inch thick cookies; cut with cookie cutters if desired. Arrange cookies 1-inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until cookies are firm to the touch, about 8 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 155.3 calories, Carbohydrate 27.9 g, Cholesterol 19.4 mg, Fat 3.9 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 2.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.3 g, Sodium 168.7 mg, Sugar 10.8 g

GINGER-MOLASSES COOKIES



Ginger-Molasses Cookies image

Think of these cookies as a cross between a gingerbread man and a chewy molasses cookie. Adding molasses gives them a softer texture with a decidedly adult, almost caramel flavor. Instead of rolling or slicing these cookies, this rich, soft dough is perfect for rolling into balls and coating in coarse sugar before baking. The dough can even be made up to 5 days ahead and refrigerated, or baked 2 days ahead and stored at room temperature.

Provided by Alison Roman

Categories     cookies and bars, dessert

Time 45m

Yield About 2 dozen cookies

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 cups/435 grams all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 1/2 cups/341 grams (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup/177 milliliters molasses
1/2 cup/100 grams granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
About 3/4 cup/165 grams pearl, Demerara or coarse sugar, for rolling
Do ahead: Cookie dough can be made 5 days ahead, refrigerated. Bring dough to room temperature before rolling. Cookies can be baked 2 days ahead, wrapped tightly and stored at room temperature.

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and allspice.
  • In another bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together butter, molasses and sugar on medium-high until the mixture is superlight, fluffy and pale, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add in eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla extract, and beat until everything is well combined, again stopping to scrape down bowl as necessary.
  • Add dry ingredients all at once, and mix on low speed until just incorporated.
  • Chill dough in refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes, until firm enough to roll.
  • Heat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Using your hands, roll heaping tablespoons of dough into balls, then roll them in coarse sugar. (Sanding sugar is festive, but turbinado or coarse sugar will do the trick as well.) If dough becomes too soft to roll, put back in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes. Place balls on a parchment-lined baking tray 2 inches apart and bake until the cookies are puffed, golden brown around the edges and baked through and the tops spring back slightly when touched, 12 to 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 249, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 33 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 105 milligrams, Sugar 19 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips and Conclusion

When making molasses gingerbread cookies, it's important to follow these tips to ensure success:

  • Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough before rolling and baking helps to prevent the cookies from spreading too much and keeps them from becoming too soft.
  • Use Fresh Ginger: Freshly grated ginger provides the best flavor for these cookies. If you don't have fresh ginger on hand, you can use ground ginger, but be sure to reduce the amount by half.
  • Don't Overmix the Dough: Overmixing the dough will make the cookies tough. Mix the dough just until the ingredients are well combined.
  • Bake the Cookies at a Low Temperature: Baking the cookies at a low temperature (325°F) helps to prevent them from burning and ensures that they cook evenly throughout.
  • Decorate the Cookies After They Have Cooled: Decorating the cookies while they are still warm will cause the frosting to melt. Let the cookies cool completely before decorating them.

Molasses gingerbread cookies are a delicious and festive treat perfect for the holiday season. With their warm spices and molasses flavor, they're sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So grab a batch of these cookies and enjoy them with your family and friends this holiday season!

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