Gingersnap Molasses Chewy Cookies – The Perfect Holiday Treat
There’s something magical about the aroma of warm spices filling your kitchen on a crisp day. These Gingersnap Molasses Chewy Cookies are the perfect balance of sweet, spiced, and cozy. With their slightly crisp edges, chewy centers, and a hint of molasses, they’re the kind of cookies that remind you of home and comfort. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, gifting to loved ones, or simply craving a cozy treat, this recipe will quickly become a household favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re a fan of cookies that combine both flavor and texture, this recipe is for you. The warm spices; ginger, cinnamon, and cloves; pair beautifully with the deep richness of molasses. The dough rolls easily into sugar before baking, giving each cookie a sparkly finish and just the right amount of sweetness. They’re simple enough for beginner bakers yet impressive enough for festive gatherings.
Highlights:
- Perfectly chewy with crisp edges.
- Rich, warm flavors from molasses and spices.
- Easy to make with pantry staples.
🥗 Nutritional Information (per cookie, approx.)
While these cookies are definitely a treat, they offer the perfect way to enjoy indulgence in moderation. Each bite is sweet, spiced, and satisfying, without going over the top in calories. If you’re mindful of what you eat, you’ll be glad to know these cookies can fit into your lifestyle while still delivering full-on festive flavor.
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Sugar: 11g
- Protein: 1g
- Fiber: 1g
⏰ Time Taken
Nobody wants to wait hours for cookies, and that’s the beauty of this recipe. From mixing the dough to pulling warm cookies out of the oven, the whole process is simple and efficient. Even if you choose to chill the dough for a bit of extra thickness, you can still have fresh cookies on your plate in just about an hour.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes (optional, for thicker cookies)
- Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best part about these cookies is that they don’t require anything fancy. Chances are, most of the ingredients are already sitting in your pantry. With basics like flour, sugar, butter, molasses, and spices, you’ll be amazed at how such simple ingredients can transform into something so flavorful and comforting.
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Grocery Shopping List
If you’re planning a quick grocery run, this recipe keeps things stress-free. You’ll only need a handful of common baking staples and a few key flavor boosters like molasses and ground ginger. With these items in your cart, you’ll have everything you need to whip up a batch of cookies that feel homemade, heartfelt, and holiday-ready.
- All-purpose flour
- Ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Molasses
- Vanilla extract
Step-by-Step: How to Make Gingersnap Molasses Chewy Cookies
Baking these cookies is as fun as eating them. The process is simple: whisk your dry ingredients, cream your butter and sugar, mix everything together, and roll dough balls in sugar before baking. The aroma of spices will fill your kitchen as they bake, making it nearly impossible to wait before sneaking a bite.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients – In a bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar – In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and molasses – Mix in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine mixtures – Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
- Roll in sugar – Shape dough into 1-inch balls, roll in sugar, and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake – Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers look slightly soft.
- Cool – Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Tips to Follow for the Best Cookies
Even simple recipes benefit from a few expert tricks. These cookies shine when you use dark molasses, avoid overbaking, and roll them generously in sugar. Small details like chilling the dough or adding an extra sprinkle of spice can make all the difference in achieving bakery-quality results at home.
- Use dark molasses for deeper flavor.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes if you want thicker cookies.
- Don’t overbake, cookies should look slightly underdone in the middle.
- Roll generously in sugar for a sparkly, crunchy coating.
How to Serve
These cookies aren’t just delicious, they’re versatile too. You can enjoy them with a warm mug of cocoa, tuck them into a holiday dessert spread, or gift them in pretty boxes to loved ones. Their chewy texture and festive sparkle make them a treat that feels special in any setting.
- Serve warm with a glass of cold milk.
- Pair with hot cocoa, tea, or spiced coffee.
- Add to a holiday dessert platter for festive flair.
- Gift in jars or boxes tied with ribbon.
How to Store
Freshly baked cookies are heavenly, but storing them right means you can enjoy them longer. These cookies keep beautifully at room temperature, and they also freeze well—whether baked or as raw dough balls. That way, you’ll always have a cozy treat on hand whenever cravings strike.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
- Freeze raw dough balls and bake directly from frozen when cravings strike.
Chef’s Special Tips
If you’d like to take this recipe up a notch, there are plenty of fun twists to try. A pinch of black pepper adds surprising depth, dipping them in white chocolate makes them festive, and sandwiching two cookies with cream cheese frosting turns them into decadent desserts. These small chef-style touches transform a classic recipe into something truly unforgettable.
- Add a pinch of black pepper to the dough for a bolder, spicier kick.
- Dip cooled cookies halfway in white chocolate for a festive twist.
- Sprinkle coarse sugar on top before baking for extra crunch.
- Sandwich with cream cheese frosting for a decadent treat.
Conclusion
These Gingersnap Molasses Chewy Cookies aren’t just cookies—they’re a memory in the making. They bring warmth, comfort, and festive flavors to your kitchen with every bite. Whether for holidays, gifting, or an everyday treat, this recipe is sure to win hearts. Try them this weekend, share with your loved ones, and let me know are you team chewy or team crispy when it comes to cookies?