If you’re craving a cookie that feels like a warm hug from the past, look no further than Grandma’s Molasses Cookies Recipe. This timeless treat combines the rich, deep sweetness of molasses with a blend of cozy spices and a hint of bright orange zest. Each bite offers a perfect balance of chewy texture and nostalgic flavor that just whispers comfort and home. Whether it’s for a quiet afternoon or a festive gathering, these cookies carry the magic of grandma’s kitchen right to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Grandma’s Molasses Cookies Recipe lies in its simple yet powerful ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in creating the distinctive taste and texture that make these cookies irresistible. From the molasses that delivers rich sweetness to the spices that add warmth and depth, every ingredient is a star in this classic ensemble.
- Molasses: Provides a deep, robust sweetness and moist texture that defines the cookie’s character.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve the perfect cookie crunch.
- Unsalted butter: Softened to bring richness and tenderness to the dough.
- Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cookie’s tender crumb.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the dough, giving structure to the cookies.
- Baking soda: Leavens the dough, ensuring a light yet chewy bite.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds sweet, woody warmth that perfectly complements the molasses.
- Ground ginger: Introduces subtle spicy notes to brighten flavors.
- Ground cloves: Offers an earthy, aromatic depth that rounds out the spice blend.
- Salt: Enhances all flavors and balances sweetness.
- Orange zest: Injects a fresh citrus zing, lifting the cookie’s profile.
- Vanilla extract: Deepens the flavor with mellow, creamy notes.
How to Make Grandma’s Molasses Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start off by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step ensures the oven is perfectly hot by the time your dough is ready, helping the cookies bake evenly. Don’t forget to line your baking sheet with parchment paper, which prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the molasses, granulated sugar, and softened butter. Beat these together until the mixture is silky smooth and well blended. This creates the sweet, velvety base of your cookie dough.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time. This gradual incorporation ensures your dough stays smooth and cohesive. Follow with the vanilla extract and the freshly grated orange zest—these add fragrance and a lovely depth of flavor that makes Grandma’s Molasses Cookies Recipe uniquely delightful.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Slowly add this dry mix to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. It’s important not to overmix here—you want to keep those cookies tender, not tough!
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and pop it into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This chilling step gives the flavors time to mingle and helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking. Trust me, this little pause makes a big difference!
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Once chilled, roll the dough into balls about the size of a golf ball. Place them on your prepared baking sheet with about 2 inches (5 cm) between each cookie to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the tops have that perfect crackled look.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
After baking, let your cookies rest on the sheet for 5 minutes to firm up. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step ensures that each cookie sets with that ideal chewy center and slightly crisp edges—classic features of Grandma’s Molasses Cookies Recipe.
How to Serve Grandma’s Molasses Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A little garnish can elevate these cookies from simple to spectacular. Sprinkle a tiny dusting of powdered sugar or a pinch of cinnamon on top right before serving for an extra touch of charm and a subtle hint of spice.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine beautifully alongside cold milk or a creamy latte, offering a cozy balance to their warm, spiced notes. For a festive twist, enjoy them with a spiced holiday coffee or fresh orange segments to complement the citrus hints inside.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking your molasses cookies with layers of whipped cream and orange marmalade for a delightful dessert parfait. Or, sandwich two cookies together with cream cheese frosting for an indulgent treat that everyone will rave about. The possibilities for presenting Grandma’s Molasses Cookies Recipe are as warm and inviting as the cookies themselves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store your Grandma’s Molasses Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to two weeks, allowing you to savor their delights over multiple occasions.
Freezing
If you want to keep these cookies longer, freeze them in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to three months. When you’re ready for a treat, simply thaw at room temperature or reheat gently as described below.
Reheating
To bring a bit of that freshly baked warmth back, pop frozen cookies into a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes. The heat softens the cookies and revives their delightful aroma, making it feel like they just came out of grandma’s oven again.
FAQs
Can I substitute molasses with honey or maple syrup?
Molasses has a very distinct, robust flavor and viscosity that honey or maple syrup can’t quite replicate. While they can be used in a pinch, expect a different taste and texture. For the authentic Grandma’s Molasses Cookies Recipe experience, molasses is the way to go.
How do I make the cookies softer or chewier?
Chilling the dough is key to a soft, chewy texture. You can also slightly underbake the cookies by a minute or two for extra softness. Additionally, using a bit more molasses or butter can enhance chewiness.
Can I add nuts or raisins to this recipe?
Absolutely! Adding chopped pecans, walnuts, or raisins can bring a lovely textural contrast and extra flavor. Just fold them into the dough after mixing the dry and wet ingredients.
What if I don’t have orange zest? Can I skip it?
While the orange zest adds a unique brightness, you can omit it without ruining the recipe. If you want to keep some citrus flair, a tiny splash of orange juice or a bit of lemon zest can be good substitutes.
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
You can try substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend made for baking. Keep in mind that texture may vary slightly, but the overall flavors of Grandma’s Molasses Cookies Recipe should still come through beautifully.
Final Thoughts
Making Grandma’s Molasses Cookies Recipe is more than just baking; it’s about capturing a feeling of warmth, tradition, and simple pleasures. These cookies offer a perfect blend of spice, sweetness, and that cherished homemade touch that’s hard to resist. Whether you keep them all to yourself or share them with loved ones, you’re sure to create joyful memories with every bite. So slip into your favorite apron and get baking—you’re in for something truly special.
Print
Grandma’s Molasses Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Grandma’s Molasses Cookies are a cozy, spiced treat featuring rich molasses, warm cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, accented with a hint of orange zest. These soft, chewy cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or comforting weeknight desserts. The dough is chilled to enhance flavor and maintain shape, then baked to golden perfection for a delightful flavor and texture balance.
Ingredients
Key Ingredients
- 1 cup (200g) molasses
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the molasses, granulated sugar, and softened unsalted butter. Beat the mixture until it becomes smooth and well combined, ensuring even sweetness and moisture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the vanilla extract and orange zest, mixing thoroughly to blend the flavors.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough tightly and chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld and helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
- Shape and Bake: Roll the chilled dough into balls roughly the size of a golf ball. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches (5 cm) apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for approximately 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy these molasses cookies on their own or paired with cold milk or cream, a warm spiced holiday coffee, or fresh orange segments for a refreshing contrast.
Notes
- For extra citrus flavor, use the zest of one full orange and the juice of half an orange in the dough.
- Chilling the dough is essential to keep the cookies soft and maintain their shape during baking.
- Feel free to experiment with different spice blends to customize the flavor profile.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
- To reheat frozen cookies, warm them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through.
