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    Home » Recipes » Cookies

    Soft and Chewy Ginger Molasses Crinkle Cookies

    Published: Dec 1, 2021 · Modified: Dec 6, 2022 by Nicole · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    stack of molasses crinkles

    This Molasses Crinkle Ginger Cookies Recipe is the absolute best! They are soft and chewy and have a perfectly slight crunch on the very outside from the cooked sugar. Just like grandma's old fashioned, they are ginger and molasses heaven in your mouth. They taste like fall and winter and make the house smell amazing.

    yummy stack of molasses cookies.

    Molasses Crinkle Ginger Cookies are good year round, but there is something about the molasses and ginger and delicious warmth of them that just speaks of fall and winter.

    These were inspired by our Chai Cookies and go great with our Tart Lemon Crinkle Cookies, Peppermint Brownies and our Candy Cane Cookies. Pair them with these fun chocolate peanut butter crinkles for a winter cookie party!

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Storage and Make Ahead
    • Recipe
    • Soft and Chewy Ginger Molasses Crinkle Cookies

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Quick and Easy - anything quick and easy to make that is also delicious is an immediate win in my book! These are ready to eat in less than 30 minutes.
    • Kid Friendly - these are so kid friendly! My kids love helping me make them. Especially since they are rolled cookies. They love rolling them in the sugar. I also think exposing them to the flavors that are a little different than they're used to helps with pickiness.
    • Classic - molasses crinkle cookies are just a classic. With their old fashioned warm ginger molasses flavor and soft chewy texture, they are so traditional.
    • Fall and Winter Ready - Whenever I get the inkling of fall, these are the first cookie I make. They scream fall AND winter and are the perfect cookie through the colder seasons.
    • Party Ready - lightly crusted in sugar, they are simple and elegant and perfect for a party. They have the perfect flavor and the best texture and are always a big hit at parties or on cookie trays.

    Instructions

    molasses cookie dough in a bowl.

    1. In the bowl of a stand mixer or using a hand mixer and mixing bowl, cream the butter and the sugar. Beat on medium high for about 2 minutes until creamy and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses and vanilla and beat on high for another minute, until the mixture starts to lighten and becomes fluffier. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Add to wet ingredients and mix on low just until combined.

    cookie dough being rolled in sugar.

    2. It's important not to over mix once you add the flour or the cookies will be a little tough. Make dough balls. You can use a cookie scoop to make balls similar in sign so that they bake evenly. Otherwise use a spoon and try to make them all the same size. Roll between your hands to form a round shape, then roll through a small bowl of granulated sugar.

    dough balls on a pan.

    3. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet leaving plenty of space for them to spread out. If doing smaller dough balls, 4 per row with 5 columns. For larger dough balls, 3 x4 works best.

    baked molasses cookies on a pan.

    4. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes (check around minute 9 for smaller cookies). The tops should be matte and the edges set. Be careful not to over bake! These cookies are best juuuuuuust barely cooked through. Remove from oven and bang the pan on the oven 2-3 times to help them get their crinkles. Allow to cool on the pan for at least 5 minutes before removing.

    Hint: These cookies are so good hot and fresh with a glass of milk or eggnog, but I think I might like the chewy texture of them the next day even more!

    molasses ginger cookies on a counter.

    Substitutions

    • Gluten Free- mix all purpose gluten free flour and gluten free oat flour at 1:1 and replace in the recipe at 1:1 (may need slightly more or less, see picture of dough above for texture reference)
    • Dairy Free- these can be made dairy free simply by substituting dairy free butter for regular butter. Use a high quality alternative for best results.
    • Vegan - make these vegan by using dairy free butter and a flax egg. May need more flour, see above for dough texture reference.
    • Blackstrap - these can be made using Blackstrap molasses! Use the same amount and experience the dark, fuller and richer taste that comes with using the dark Blackstrap molasses.

    Variations

    • Oatmeal - reduce flour by ½ cup and add 1 ¼ cups rolled oats.
    • Iced- to make with icing, make a simple icing by using 3 cups powdered sugar and 4 Tablespoons powdered sugar. Feel free to add ¼ teaspoon ginger and ½ teaspoon cinnamon for a spiced icing.
    • Spicy - make these spicy by increasing the ginger to 1 teaspoon, increase cloves to ¼ teaspoon and add ⅛ teaspoon pepper.
    • Chocolate Chip - for chocolate chip ginger molasses cookies, add 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips after the dry ingredients. Stir in only until combined!
    • Without Ginger - I actually really enjoy these without any ginger at all! No other alterations are needed, just omit the ginger. Feel free to omit the cloves as well to get a more pure cookie.

    Equipment

    • baking sheet
    • mixing bowl
    • hand mixer OR stand mixer

    Tips & Tricks

    These store REALLY well in the freezer. I like to put them in when they're mostly cooled but still warm. It makes them so soft and chewy when they thaw out. Yum!

    Storage and Make Ahead

    Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. These stay soft and chewy even when served cold (I actually prefer them cooled over warm for texture), but can be microwaved for about 8 seconds if desired.

    The dough can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 days in advance. If refrigerating longer than 2 hours, allow cookie dough to soften at room temperature for about 20 minutes before use.

    Dough can be frozen. To freeze, form into balls then freeze. To bake, allow to thaw until soft on the outside (at least 20 minutes), then roll in sugar and bake. They may need to bake a little longer than usual.

    molasses crinkle cookies on a counter.

     

    Recipe

    stack of molasses cookies.

    Soft and Chewy Ginger Molasses Crinkle Cookies

    Nicole
    These soft and chewy molasses crinkle cookies are full of flavor and have a perfect barely-there crunch on the outside. Perfect for fall and winter or a cookie party!
     
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    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Total Time 22 mins
    Servings 24 cookies
    Calories/serving 141 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • ⅔ cup butter
    • 1 cup brown sugar I use dark brown, but light is fine too
    • 1 egg
    • ¼ cup molasses
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 2 ½ cups flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ginger for cookies with a stronger ginger flavor, 1 teaspoon
    • ¼ teaspoon cloves
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 375*F.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer or using a hand mixer and mixing bowl, cream the butter and the sugar. Beat on medium high for about 1 minutes until creamy and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses and vanilla and beat on high for another minute, until the mixture starts to lighten and becomes fluffier.
    • Add the dry ingredients. The easiest way to do this is put in the flour then measure out the other ingredients on top then give it a quick little mix with your fingers to avoid any clumps. Mix on low just until combined. Roll into balls then roll balls in a bowl of granulated sugar and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
    • Bake at 375* F for 10-12 minutes. As soon as the tops are matte, and the edges just barely start to change color they are done! When you pull them out, bang them on the top of the oven to get them to crinkle a little more. 
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    These store in the freezer so well! I like to put them in while they are still slightly warm. It makes them very soft and chewy when they thaw.
    Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookieCalories: 141kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 163mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 168IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was in the comments below
    Tag us on Instagram!We love seeing people make our recipes. Mention @simplyscrumptiouseats_
    What is the difference between ginger snaps and molasses cookies

    Ginger snaps are crunchy and should have a good "snap" when bent in half. Molasses Cookies are super soft and chewy and will fold gently when bent in half.

    How to Make Molasses Cookies

    Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, molasses and vanilla and beat one more minute. Stir in dry ingredients then bake!

    What is the difference between gingerbread cookies and molasses cookies

    Gingerbread cookies are crispy, molasses cookies are soft and chewy.

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Liz

      December 02, 2021 at 10:12 pm

      5 stars
      Seriously awesome cookies! Super easy! Made in 45 min with kids start to finish and they loved shaping them and rolling in sugar. I’m an experienced baker and these were easy and taste was incredible. Spread just enough while still having good volume! Didn’t have cloves so added same amount of pumpkin pie spice. Going to dip 1/2 in white Chocolate and sprinkle with christmas Jimmie’s and take to holiday parties! Thank you, SSE!

      Reply
    2. Cami

      December 05, 2021 at 10:55 pm

      5 stars
      I hate normal gingerbread but these cookies are the BEST cookies I have ever had. They just taste like Christmas. Absolute perfection

      Reply
    3. Niki

      December 06, 2021 at 2:05 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious!! Molasses cookies are a holiday favorite of mine!

      Reply
    4. Sue

      December 24, 2021 at 6:02 pm

      5 stars
      These cookies are absolutely delicious. They are so soft. I made them over the weekend and then took them to work. I also shared them with friends on Christmas goodie plates. Many have asked for the recipe.

      Reply
    5. Shara Nelson

      December 29, 2021 at 8:12 pm

      5 stars
      These were just perfect. Such a great holiday flavor with a wonderful texture.

      Reply
    6. JCW

      January 13, 2022 at 8:14 pm

      5 stars
      These were absolutely delicious and absolutely perfect. The absolute perfect cookie. The flavor was perfect, the texture was unbelievable. So soft and chewy. These are going repeat.

      Reply
    7. Jess

      August 03, 2022 at 4:15 pm

      5 stars
      I love how the molasses enhances the flavor of these cookies. Game changer!

      Reply
    8. Sarah F

      August 26, 2022 at 7:13 pm

      5 stars
      These molasses crinkles were great! Absolute Perfect texture and were gone SUPER fast! YUM!

      Reply
    9. Lisa

      December 02, 2022 at 12:18 am

      5 stars
      These cookies are a wonderful texture and flavor, and so easy to make. I will possibly increase the spices next time due to personal preference, but for my kids and spouse they were perfect. I'll definitely be making them again!

      Reply
      • Nicole

        December 02, 2022 at 9:03 am

        Yay, we're so glad you enjoyed them!

        Reply

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    nicole and andrea

    Hi, we are Nicole and Andrea! As busy moms our favorite meals are easy, healthy and delicious. While we love eating nutritious meals, we also strongly believe in moderating them with yummy desserts! We love hiking, going to the beach and doing Spartans.

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