Chewy Molasses Ginger Cookies (Print Version)

Soft, spice-filled cookies with rich molasses flavor and chewy centers.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons ground ginger
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
05 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 - 2 teaspoons baking soda
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

08 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
10 - 1/4 cup molasses
11 - 1 large egg
12 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ For Rolling

13 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - Beat softened butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
04 - Mix in molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
06 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions, roll into balls, and coat each in granulated sugar.
07 - Place dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
08 - Bake for 9–11 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
09 - Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The edges get perfectly crackled while staying soft and bendy in the middle
  • They actually taste better the second day, if you can manage to keep them around that long
02 -
  • Underbaking slightly is the secret to that signature chewy texture that lasts for days
  • Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking helps control spreading and intensifies the flavor
03 -
  • Use light molasses for a milder flavor or dark molasses for more intensity
  • For thicker cookies, chill the dough for at least an hour before baking
Return