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    Home » Recipes » Cookies & Crackers

    Published: Nov 12, 2020 · Modified: Nov 28, 2020 by Paula Montenegro · Income from ads and affiliate links 39 Comments

    Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies (with video!)

    Jump to Recipe
    Single bitter molasses cookies on white surface, yellow brown text overlay

    If you like ginger molasses cookies with a kick this is your recipe! They are super easy to make, eggless, with a great flavor from the fresh ginger, spices, and of course molasses. Freeze the dough and have freshly baked cookies every time you want!

    Originally posted in 2012 as a personal post, the text and images have been updated to serve you better. The recipe was slightly tweaked and is even better!

    Chewy and soft at the same time, these are the cousins of gingersnap cookies but with a kick. The ginger flavor is amazing, strong but sweet from the molasses and sugar, with that particular flavor we all love.

    I make these every year and they go head to head with the pistachio butter cookies and almond butterballs, which also have a prized place in my cookie box.

    This recipe is great for a cookie exchange or to gift for the holidays as they keep and travel well, especially if you give them away in metal tins.

    Bitten ginger molasses cookies on white surface
    Table of Contents Hide
    Main ingredients
    Easy steps
    Storing
    Freezing
    Frequently asked questions
    Related recipes you might like:
    Spicy Ginger Cookies (no egg)

    Main ingredients

    They will not be ginger molasses cookies without those two ingredients, that's for sure. So a few words:

    • Ginger - this recipe uses both fresh and dried ground. The mix is fantastic to add a slightly spicy kick.
    • Molasses - I use dark, but you can use light molasses if you favor a lighter color and less sharpness.
    • Spices - cinnamon is a must and I like to use the best one I can afford (usually a deep-colored Vietnamese). I also include allspice and sometimes a dash of nutmeg. And optional but encouraged for spiciness, we're also adding cardamom (that amazing peppery lemony spice), and white pepper.
    • Extracts - vanilla extract mellow the other flavors so I always add it. And a dash of coffee extract or a few teaspoons of strong coffee because it rounds up the whole thing. The latter is not essential, but it's a nice touch.
    Colored bowls with spices, molasses and ingredients for ginger cookies on a white surface

    Easy steps

    This is the type of cookie that you make the dough and form it into a log before chilling it (as shown in the video below), or refrigerate the bowl with the dough and then scoop and bake it, similar to the Almond Butter Cookies.

    I like to go the extra mile and add another step: rolling them in white sugar before popping them into the oven so that they bake with a crisp and crunchy coating. Your choice.


    Watch our video tutorials 👇🏻


    Storing

    Containers with airtight lids are recommended so the cookies don't become too soggy. I love tins or metal containers first and foremost.

    After that, cookie jars work well and also plastic containers. But keep into account that they all allow different levels of moisture so the cookies might become softer or gosh-forbid soggier more quickly.

    Freezing

    I love how these spicy ginger cookies can be frozen and baked to order.

    • Freeze the whole unbaked logs (my favorite way) and then take them out 15-20 minutes before baking so they can be cut easily. Or freeze the already cut cookies (before they are rolled in sugar). They need some minutes at room t° so they can be rolled in sugar before baking.
    • Freeze the scooped portions: if you decide to chill the dough in the bowl and then scoop walnut-sized cookies, the best way is to freeze the baking sheet and then transfer the pieces to a bag when they have become rock solid. That way they will take up less space in the freezer.
    Flat view of dark cracked molasses cookies on white parchment paper

    Frequently asked questions

    What does molasses do to cookies?

    It makes them soft and chewy. And of course, that brown color is thanks to the molasses and the spices. Molasses is like dark honey and it adds a lot of moisture to baked goods.

    Why are my cookies flat and thin?

    A few common issues that cause this: all butter recipes (as opposed to those that use part shortening) that are used at room temperature so it melts too quickly; and the oven is too high or too low might also expand the cookies too fast.

    Which molasses is best for cookies?

    It depends on your personal palate. The darker the molasses the more bitter the flavor. So you have to balance that with the amount of sweetness and spice in your recipe to know which one will work best.

    Is dark molasses the same as blackstrap?

    Not exactly. There are three common types: light which is the mildest in flavor and color, dark molasses which is slightly more bitter and dark, and blackstrap which is the deepest colored and most bitter one.

    What is the difference between molasses cookies and ginger snaps?

    They look similar but gingersnaps are usually less chewy. They might be soft on the inside but crunchier on the outside. My favorite recipe for Gingersnap Cookies has an egg in the batter and that creates a different texture.

    Do molasses have to be refrigerated after opening?

    No, it doesn't. And it will probably be too thick because of the cold so you will have to bring it to room temperature before using it. I have mine in the pantry and it lasts months. What does happen as time passes by is that it becomes more bitter.

    Several dark molasses cookies, stacked, on wire rack

    Related recipes you might like:

    • Gingersnap Cookies (one-bowl recipe)
    • Ginger Loaf Cake
    • Lemon Crinkle Cookies (with video!)
    • Sesame Cookies

    Let me know in the comments below if you make this recipe! I’d love to hear what you think about it. Thank you for being here, I appreciate it! Let’s connect via Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

    If you like the recipes in this blog, consider subscribing and getting all new posts by email. As a thank you, we'll also send you a FREE recipe e-book and our Guide to Freezer Baking!

    Print
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    Close up of crackled ginger molasses cookie on wire rack

    Spicy Ginger Cookies (no egg)

    ★★★★

    3.7 from 3 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Save Recipe Recipe Saved

    If you like ginger molasses cookies with a kick this is your recipe! They are super easy to make, with a great flavor from the fresh ginger, cardamom, and a touch of honey. Freeze them raw and have freshly baked cookies every time you want!

    * Total time doesn't include refrigeration, so take that into account. 

    • Total Time: 32 minutes
    • Yield: 30 medium

    Ingredients

    Units
    • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ cup unsulphured molasses
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
    • ¾ cup light brown sugar
    • 12 Tbs (170g) unsalted butter, at room tº
    • 8 fresh cardamom pods, ground (if you use ground cardamom make sure it's very fresh)
    • Pinch of ground white pepper, optional
    • ½ teaspoon coffee extract (or very strong coffee), optional
    • Additional white sugar, for rolling cookies, optional

    Instructions

    1. In a large bowl, by hand or with an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until creamy.
    2. Add molasses and vanilla. Mix. 
    3. Add spices, fresh ginger, and coffee if using, and mix well.
    4. Sift the dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder) over the batter in 2 or 3 additions. Mix well but don't overbeat, that's why I recommend switching to a spatula. The dough will be shiny but not sticky.
    5. Take a large piece of plastic wrap, make a cylinder in the middle with half of the cookie dough, wrap the dough in the plastic, and roll until it's tight. Prick in a few places to release air bubbles that might have formed. Repeat with the rest of the dough. 
    6. Refrigerate the logs for at least 3 hours, or until firm. You can leave it refrigerated for a day or two. Or freeze for up to a month, wrapping the logs in aluminum on top of the plastic. 
    7. Preheat oven to 350º.
    8. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    9. Take out the dough from the fridge and put about a ½ cup of sugar in a shallow plate or bowl.
    10. Roll the cylinder of dough, still wrapped, a few times on the counter to round out the parts that touched the refrigerator floor and are probably more square than round. 
    11. Cut the dough into ½ inch slices and coat each one with sugar. Alternatively, you can bake them plain, without rolling in sugar. 
    12. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space to grow between each cookie.
    13. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until crackled and dry. 
    14. Let cool on wire rack.
    15. Store in an airtight metal container.

    Notes

    • Molasses - I use dark, but you can use light molasses if you favor a lighter color and less sharpness.
    • Spices - cinnamon is a must and I like to use the best one I can afford (usually a deep-colored Vietnamese). I also include allspice and sometimes a dash of nutmeg. And optional but encouraged for spiciness, we're also adding cardamom (that amazing peppery lemony spice), and white pepper.
    • Extracts - vanilla extract mellow the other flavors so I always add it. And a dash of coffee extract or a few teaspoons of strong coffee because it rounds up the whole thing. The latter is not essential, but it's a nice touch. 
    • Freeze the whole unbaked logs (my favorite way) and then take them out 15-20 minutes before baking so they can be cut easily. Or freeze the already cut cookies (before they are rolled in sugar). They need some minutes at room t° so they can be rolled in sugar before baking. 
    • Storing: containers with airtight lids are recommended so the cookies don't become too soggy. I love tins or metal containers. After that, cookie jars are my choice. 
    • Author: Paula Montenegro
    • Prep Time: 20
    • Cook Time: 12
    • Category: Cookies
    • Method: Baking
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: ginger molasses cookies

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @vintagekitchenblog on Instagram and hashtag it #vintagekitchenblog

    More Cookies & Crackers Recipes

    • Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
    • White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
    • Gingerbread Cookies (with video)
    • Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

    About Paula Montenegro

    I'm Paula, a baker for more than 30 years and your designated recipe developer, sharing the best ones here with simple ingredients + easy-to-follow instructions.

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    1. Carole Ann says

      March 16, 2021 at 5:30 pm

      Recipes look delicious!

      Reply
    2. SM says

      February 03, 2021 at 8:26 pm

      I know this post is older, but how much vanilla should be added? And, should there be an egg? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Paula Montenegro says

        February 03, 2021 at 9:17 pm

        Hi SM, it's a teaspoon of vanilla and it has no egg. If you want a similar cookie with egg, check out the Gingersnaps recipe.

        Reply
        • Sm says

          February 03, 2021 at 9:30 pm

          Awesome, thank you!

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