Molasses Cookies are a must-have cookie on any holiday cookie platter. Closely related to the gingersnap, these cookies are a little sweet, a little spicy and the perfect amount of chewy. Roll in powdered sugar before baking to give them a "snow-covered" look!
Holiday Baking
Reality doesn't set in that Christmas is approaching until I begin to see tins of cookies and treats stacked throughout my kitchen. I have loved baking Christmas cookies for as long as I can remember. I seem to come by this quite naturally as my mom was famous for making dozens of tins of cookies to give away as gifts during the holiday season. These Molasses Cookies are one of my go-to recipes that I make every year!
What You'll Need
These Molasses Cookies aren't overly sweet and incorporate the flavors of molasses, cinnamon, cloves and ginger to give them their signature spice and chew. These cookies are shortening-based which helps them not spread too much.
Rolling the cookie dough in powdered sugar before baking gives the Molasses Cookies a crackled "snow-covered" look that's just perfect for the holidays.
Molasses Cookie Recipe
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream together shortening and white sugar until fluffy. Add in egg & molasses and beat well. A quick tip: spray your measuring cup with cooking spray to help the molasses come out a lot easier!
In another mixing bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients. Slowly add the dry ingredients to wet and mix well.
Scoop the dough into heaping tablespoon sized balls and roll in powdered sugar. Place on an ungreased baking sheet 2 inches apart and make 10-12 minutes.
For a softer cookie, take them out at 10 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the tray for 2 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Sprinkle some extra powdered sugar on the tops, if desired.
Store these Molasses Cookies in an airtight container or your favorite cookie tin.
I love carrying on the tradition of baking Christmas cookies every year. Each time I pull out this hand-written recipe, I remember my mom and how much she loved doing this same exact thing. I am determined to involve my kids in the kitchen making these recipes as a way to keep her memory alive. My girls may not get the opportunity to bake with their grandma, but they will hear plenty of stories about her and eat plenty of her treats. I hope you take the time to carry on your own special holiday traditions, whatever they may be.
Molasses Cookies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup shortening
- 1 cup white sugar
- 4 Tbsp. molasses
- 1 egg
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. cloves ground
- ¾ tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. ginger ground
- 1 tsp. cinnamon ground
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening & sugar and beat until fluffy. Add molasses and mix well, then egg.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt & spices. Add to wet ingredients and mix well.
- Roll into heaping tablespoon sized balls and roll in powdered sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool on tray for 2 minutes before moving cookies to a wire rack. Sprinkle with some extra powdered sugar, if desired. Store in an airtight container or cookie tin.
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