There’s nothing quite like a soft and chewy molasses cookie fresh out of the oven. With their rich, spiced flavor and crackly sugar-dusted tops, these Bakery Style Molasses Cookies are a timeless classic. Perfect for the holidays or any time you’re craving a cozy treat, these cookies deliver the perfect balance of warm spices, deep molasses flavor, and melt-in-your-mouth softness.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and chewy texture – bakery-quality results every time.
- Spiced to perfection – cinnamon, ginger, and cloves bring warm, comforting flavor.
- Easy to make – just one bowl, no complicated steps.
- Perfect for gifting – they stay soft for days and travel well.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup molasses (unsulphured for best flavor)
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and then stir in the molasses until well combined.
2. Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
3. Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and enhancing the flavor.
4. Shape and Roll
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll them into balls, and coat them in granulated sugar. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
5. Bake
Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers look slightly soft. The cookies will continue to bake as they cool.
6. Cool and Serve
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Enjoy warm or store for later!
Tips for Perfect Molasses Cookies
- Don’t overbake: Pull them out when the edges are set but the center looks soft.
- Chill the dough: This prevents spreading and helps create that bakery-style chew.
- Use fresh spices: Fresh cinnamon, ginger, and cloves make a huge difference in flavor.
- Extra sugar sparkle: Roll the dough balls in sugar twice for an extra crackly, sparkly top.
Variations to Try
- Add chocolate chips – for a fun twist, fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips.
- Glazed molasses cookies – drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze after baking.
- Sandwich cookies – spread cream cheese frosting between two cookies for an indulgent treat.
- Spicy kick – add a pinch of black pepper for bold flavor.
Storage Instructions
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.
- Baked cookies: Can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with a warm cup of tea or coffee for a cozy afternoon treat.
- Serve during the holiday season alongside gingerbread, shortbread, and sugar cookies.
- Wrap in clear bags with a ribbon for homemade holiday gifts.
Final Thoughts
These Bakery Style Molasses Cookies are soft, chewy, spiced just right, and coated in sugar for that signature crackle. They’re easy to make, stay fresh for days, and taste just like the ones from your favorite bakery. Whether for holiday cookie trays or everyday baking, this recipe is sure to become a household favorite.
