Chewy Molasses Ginger Cookies

User Reviews

4.8

192 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    15 mins

  • Cook Time

    8 mins

  • Chill Time

    2 hrs

  • Total Time

    2 hrs 23 mins

  • Servings

    30

  • Calories

    131 kcal

  • Course

    Dessert

  • Cuisine

    American

Chewy Molasses Ginger Cookies

Chewy Molasses Ginger Cookies combine shortening, brown sugar, and molasses with a blend of warming spices including cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Chilling the dough is crucial to achieving a soft texture and preventing the cookies from spreading too thin. Rolling the dough balls in granulated sugar before baking adds a subtly crisp, sweet crust that contrasts the chewy centers. These cookies balance spice and sweetness with a deep, rich molasses flavor.

Description

This recipe uses butter-flavored shortening and brown sugar creamed together, then mixed with molasses and egg to create a richly flavored dough. The dry ingredients include flour, kosher salt, baking soda, and a mix of ground cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, contributing warm and slightly spicy notes.

Chilling the dough for 2-3 hours firms it up, which is key to maintaining the cookie's chewy texture and thickness during baking. After shaping, the dough balls are rolled in granulated sugar which forms a delicate crunchy coating once baked at 350°F.

The finished cookies deliver a moist texture with a pleasant chewiness complemented by the spiced molasses flavor, making them suitable for enjoying with tea or as a holiday treat.

Substituting some or all shortening with butter is possible but will yield crisper cookies once cooled, while shortening helps keep them softer.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 3/4 cup shortening room temperature, butter-flavored Crisco
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 2 & 1/4 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 & 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon powdered
  • 1 & 1/2 teaspoons ginger powdered
  • 1/2 teaspoon cloves powdered
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar for rolling

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl or stand mixer, add 3/4 cup butter flavored Crisco and 1 cup brown sugar. Beat well until smooth, about 1 or 2 minutes. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
  2. Add 1 egg and 1/4 cup molasses. Beat well, scraping sides, until fully incorporated.
  3. Add 2 and 1/4 cups flour, but don't stir yet. Make sure you spoon the flour into the measuring cup so that it doesn't get packed.
  4. On top of the flour, add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon and ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon cloves. Use a small spoon to stir all the dry ingredients into the flour.
  5. Beat well until just barely combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and make sure that all the flour is incorporated, but do not over mix. (or you will get tough cookies.)
  6. Cover the bowl and chill in the fridge for about 2-3 hours, until it is completely cold. Do not skip this step or you will get flat cookies!
  7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
  8. Add about a 1/2 cup sugar to a small bowl. 
  9. Shape the dough into walnut-sized balls, about 1 and 1/2 inches across. Roll the dough in the sugar to coat completely, then place on a lined baking sheet with about 2 inches of space between each one.
  10. Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes, just until the tops start to crack. As soon as you see cracks, take them out! Keep an eye on them, because every oven is different. If you let them bake too long, they will fall flat after you take them out of the oven. 
  11. Sprinkle with additional granulated sugar if you want, for extra sparkle. 
  12. Let cool on the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. You have to eat at least one of these while they are warm, it's mandatory.

Notes

  • Chilling dough for 2-3 hours is essential to prevent cookies from spreading too thin and keep them soft.
  • Butter can be substituted for shortening or used partially, but cookies will be crisper once cooled.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1cookie Calories 131kcal (7%) Carbohydrates 20g (7%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g (12%) Monounsaturated Fat 2g (10%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 6mg (2%) Potassium 65mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 13g (26%) Vitamin A 9IU (0%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 16mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 30Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 131 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cookie
Calories 131kcal 7%
Carbohydrates 20g 7%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 6mg 2%
Potassium 65mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 13g 26%
Vitamin A 9IU 0%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 16mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

4.8

192 reviews
Excellent

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