Molasses Sugar Cookies Holiday Cookie Recipe Santa Approved (2024)

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by Nicole 11 Comments

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Molasses Sugar Cookies are one of our favorite holiday cookie recipes. The warm cinnamon, cloves, and ginger flavors make a deliciously spiced sugar cookie.

Molasses Sugar Cookies are just the right combination of crunchy on the outside, chewy in the middle.

Molasses Sugar Cookies

This recipe below makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Holiday Cookie Gift Ideas

Tie a ribbon around a set of cookies in a gift bag, Or, fill a mason jar with cookies and top it with a bow. These molasses sugar cookies are ready to gift to family, friends, and neighbors.

Do you bake holiday and/or Christmas cookies? What are your favorite holiday cookies?

Molasses Sugar Cookies Holiday Cookie Recipe Santa Approved (5)

Yield: 5 dozen

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes

Favorite holiday cookie recipe! The cinnamon, cloves and ginger flavors make a delicious spiced sugar cookie. We think these Molasses Sugar Cookies are just the right combination of crunchy on the outside, chewy in the middle.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cups butter flavored shortening
  • 2 cups white sugar (plus more for rolling the dough)
  • 2 cups white sugar (plus more for rolling the dough)
  • 2 Eggs
  • 4 cups all purpose flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

    1. Melt the shortening in a large pan on the stove and allow to cool (about 5-10 minutes). I do not let mine cool all the way (because it solidifies). You just don’t want it to be so hot that it cooks the eggs when you combine them in Step 2.
    2. Use a mixer to beat together the sugar, eggs, molasses and cooled shortening.
    3. Mix dry ingredients together in a separate bowl and add it to the wet ingredients. Mix everything together well. Cover and and chill in the refrigerator 3 hours or overnight.
    4. When you are ready to bake cookies, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Pinch off pieces of chilled dough and roll it into walnut sized balls. Roll balls in white sugar until covered with a thin layer of sugar. Place balls on greased cookie sheet (or a silicone baking mat) about 2 inches apart.
    5. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until done. Allow to cool 1-2 minutes on baking sheet then transfer to a cooling rack. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

TIPS: Cookies will flatten out and crackle on top, and harden as they cool. If you prefer very crispy cookies, allow them to bake an additional 1-2 minutes. If you prefer a softer cookie in the center, you can experiment with less baking time. I have done it both ways – and it works.

These cookies freeze well.

Holiday Cookie Gifting Ideas: 1) Tie a ribbon around a set of cookies put in a gift bag, and they are ready to gift to family, friends and neighbors. 2) Fill a mason jar with cookies and stick a bow on the lid for gifts.

If you love easy holiday treat recipes, don’t miss our OREO Truffles recipe.

For a delicious twist on hot cocoa, see how to make these Hot Chocolate Bombs!

Finally, if you have visions of candy canes in your Christmas dreams, you need to make easy Peppermint Fudge.

Molasses Sugar Cookies Holiday Cookie Recipe Santa Approved (12)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie Wood says

    Your cookies look gorgeous. My mom and I always made Molasses cookies when I was growing up during the Holidays. I forgot all about these cookies. I love the taste and need to make some again. I make my Soft Christmas Sugar cookies every year at the Holidays. I am looking forward to making them again. Also, thanks for this recipe.

    Reply

    • Nicole says

      Thanks, Julie, for the compliments! We have a Christmas tradition of soft sugar cookies, too. The kids love to decorate them with icing and sprinkles. I hope you have a happy holiday (and baking!) season. —Nicole

      Reply

  2. Erin says

    I have never tried molasses in my sugar cookies, this looks really yummy! Pinned it. Found your blog on Thrifty Thursday and started following on Google +.

    Erin
    http://theeveryday-mom.blogspot.com/

    Reply

    • Nicole says

      Hi Erin, Thank you so much for stopping by and for the pin and the follow. 🙂 I love the Thrifty Thursday link, I end up finding so many neat ideas from other bloggers. I’m so glad you picked mine to stop in on. Thanks! –Nicole

      Reply

  3. Terri S says

    These cookies look so good! I love molasses cookies. Thank you for sharing the recipe.

    Reply

    • Nicole says

      Thank YOU for the compliments. Hope you enjoy them too! —Nicole

      Reply

  4. Nicole Dz says

    Five dozen cookies, that is enough for the whole family and more! I love that I can have so much left over for giving. Awesome recipe!

    Reply

  5. Tim says

    These looks great. Sugar cookies and different style of them are one of my favorites.

    Reply

  6. Heather says

    These cookies caught my eye on your page! Delicious! I love that they are so much more than a sugar cookie with the spices and molasses! Perfect for this time of year!

    Reply

  7. Anne says

    Thanks for posting this recipe on your sidebar. I need to make some cookies ASAP to get in the mail, and this recipe looks like a winner. The fact that it makes a big batch is a plus, not to mention that molasses cookies are a favorite of mine. Pinned it, so I’ll remember to make them eventually even if I don’t make them for Christmas.

    Reply

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Molasses Sugar Cookies Holiday Cookie Recipe Santa Approved (2024)

FAQs

What is the number 1 Christmas cookie? ›

Based on this data from General Mills, Peanut Butter Blossoms are the most popular Christmas cookie in the country; it's the most-visited cookie recipe in seven states, which means it's the most common favorite cookie in the U.S. That's a pretty high honor!

What kind of molasses is best for cookies? ›

Light molasses is the sweetest and mildest out of the bunch because it is made from the first boiling cycle,” she said. “I like to use this type of molasses because it adds moisture to cookies, resulting in a soft and chewy texture.”

Why not use blackstrap molasses in cookies? ›

While light and dark molasses can be used fairly interchangeably, blackstrap molasses can overpower your baking with off-putting flavors. Until you're familiar with it, look for recipes that specifically call for blackstrap molasses.

Why can't you use blackstrap molasses in gingerbread cookies? ›

Answer: You wouldn't use blackstrap molasses in recipes for gingerbread because the taste is too intense. It would overwhelm the other flavors. There is no difference between sugar cane grown in mid Missouri and sugar cane grown in southern Mississippi.

What is America's favorite holiday cookie? ›

Among those who can make a single choice, frosted sugar cookies lead the list (32%), with gingerbread (12%) and chocolate chip (11%) rounding out the top three. Snickerdoodles (6%) come in fourth place, followed by butter (4%), peanut butter (4%), and chocolate (4%) tying for fifth.

What happens if you add too much molasses to cookies? ›

Doubling up on molasses softened the cookies significantly.

Molasses is also extremely dark in color, so this batch of cookies turned out to be a deep brown.

Why are my molasses cookies so hard? ›

Bake soft molasses cookies on a cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes. It's very important to not over bake the cookies or they will be hard and dry instead of soft and chewy. To check for doneness, open oven and gently push the side of a cookie with your finger or utensil.

What is grandma's molasses made of? ›

Grandma's Molasses is made of the finest quality unsulfured liquid of sun-ripened sugarcane. After the sugarcane is cut and crushed, the liquids are extracted and boiled.

Why did people stop using molasses? ›

After the end of World War I, refined sugar prices dropped drastically resulting in the migration of consumers from molasses to white sugar crystals.

What is the difference between Grandma's molasses and blackstrap molasses? ›

Light or regular molasses is produced after the second boiling. Blackstrap molasses is what comes from a third boiling, and it's very bitter. You'll usually see it used in baked beans or barbecue sauce.

Can diabetics eat molasses cookies? ›

Molasses does not quickly break down into glucose, making it somewhat safer than other sweeteners for people with diabetes or insulin resistance. However, because molasses is high in carbohydrates, people living with diabetes should consume it in moderation.

Why is there a warning on blackstrap molasses? ›

Possible risks. Blackstrap molasses contains very high levels of the chemical acrylamide, which may be carcinogenic (19). Acrylamide forms in foods when sugars and the amino acid asparagine are subjected to certain high heat cooking methods, such as frying, roasting, and baking ( 20 ).

What molasses is best for cookies? ›

Light molasses is the sweetest and mildest out of the bunch because it is made from the first boiling cycle,” she said. “I like to use this type of molasses because it adds moisture to cookies, resulting in a soft and chewy texture.”

Why are my molasses cookies bitter? ›

Use an unsulphered molasses, like Grandma's brand (pictured above) or Brer Rabbit “Full Flavor”. Avoid blackstrap molasses–it's too strong for this recipe and will make the cookies bitter.

What is the #1 cookie in the US? ›

America's favorite cookie and the one dubbed “the American cookie” is the Chocolate chip cookie. Chocolate chip cookie is simply tantalizing both in flavor and in texture. The chips of both milk and dark chocolate provide you with a rich and strong flavor while the butter makes the cookies velvety.

What is the most popular Christmas candy? ›

According to America's Favorite Christmas Candy by State Report, a comprehensive study by research firm HubScore that delved into a survey of the top 20 favorite Christmas candies, Kit Kat ranked top in 13 states followed by a tie between Skittles and candy canes, both ranked top in six states.

What's the most eaten cookie? ›

Nearly 93% of all American households serve and enjoy cookies as treats or after meals. However, it's the chocolate chip cookie that's the most popular in the U.S. and around the world.

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