Yuletide Glow Molasses Cookies

Fill your soul with Christmas spirit with each bite of these heavenly soft molasses cookies.

Each cookie is a delightful blend of warm spices and deep, rich molasses, creating a symphony of flavors that dance in your mouth. Perfect for cozy winter evenings or as a cherished treat for your holiday gatherings, these molasses cookies are not just desserts, they are heartwarming memories baked to perfection.

Read our 2023 Holiday Recipe Book HERE!

Tips and Tricks

Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 1 hour before baking. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and enhances the flavors.
Molasses Quality: Use high-quality, unsulfured molasses for the best flavor. It adds depth and richness to the cookies.
Spice Balance: Adjust the amount of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves according to your taste. The right balance of spices is key to the perfect molasses cookie.
Soft Center, Crisp Edges: Bake until the edges are just set but the centers are still soft. They will harden as they cool, giving you that perfect texture.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that ingredients like butter and eggs are at room temperature for even mixing.

Yuletide Glow Molasses Cookies

Ingredients

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground cloves

¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
⅓ cup unsulfured molasses
Granulated sugar, for rolling

Instructions

Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
Add Egg and Molasses: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and molasses until well combined.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Preheat Oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Shape Cookies: Roll dough into balls, about 1 tablespoon each, then roll each ball in granulated sugar. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart.
Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are just set around the edges but still soft in the center.
Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Did you know?

Origins: Molasses is a byproduct of sugar production, obtained from sugarcane or sugar beets during the refining process.
Historical Significance: Molasses was a popular sweetener in the Americas before the 20th century, largely due to its affordability compared to refined sugar.
Varieties: There are different types of molasses, such as light, dark, and blackstrap, each with varying degrees of sweetness and robustness.

Nutritional Value: Molasses, especially blackstrap molasses, is rich in nutrients like iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Culinary Uses: Apart from baking, molasses is used in marinades, sauces, and even in the brewing of beer and distilling of rum.