If you’re searching for the perfect holiday treat or simply a sweet snack to brighten your week, Chewy Spiced Molasses Cookies are the answer. These cookies wrap you in the nostalgic aroma of warm spices and rich molasses, delivering a soft, chewy bite every time. The magic is in the deeply flavored dough, the sparkling sugar coating, and that unmistakable chewy texture—beloved by adults and kids alike! Whether you’re whipping up a batch for a festive cookie tray or just because you crave something cozy, these cookies are bound to become a family favorite.

Chewy Spiced Molasses Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pulling together Chewy Spiced Molasses Cookies couldn’t be more straightforward, but every ingredient plays a key role in building flavor, moisture, and irresistible texture. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a few helpful tips for baking success:

All-purpose flour: Provides the sturdy yet tender structure essential for a chewy center and crisp edges.
Ground ginger: Offers a zingy, warming flavor that shines through with each bite.
Ground cinnamon: Adds cozy sweetness and brings out the complexity of the other spices.
Ground cloves: Brings an earthy, almost peppery depth—just a little goes a long way.
Ground nutmeg: Imparts gentle, nutty warmth to round out the spice blend.
Baking soda: Ensures the cookies rise just enough while staying soft and puffy.
Salt: Balances out sweetness and enhances all the lovely spice notes.
Unsalted butter (softened): The key to a rich flavor and luxurious chewy texture—make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
Brown sugar (packed): Deepens the moisture and chew while adding subtle caramel undertones.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and is also used for rolling to give cookies that signature sparkle.
Molasses: The star ingredient—provides dark, robust flavor and extra chewiness.
Large egg: Binds everything together and contributes to the richness of the dough.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors and brings the spices together for a harmonious cookie.
Extra granulated sugar, for rolling: Coats the dough balls to create a crunchy, gleaming exterior.

How to Make Chewy Spiced Molasses Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, which prevents sticking and ensures perfectly golden bottoms every time. Having everything ready makes the rest of the process a breeze!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. This step is all about even distribution—the spices need to be thoroughly combined with the flour so that every cookie tastes just right.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Next, grab a large mixing bowl and cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This not only helps dissolve the sugars for a smoother dough but also creates air pockets for a tender, chewy texture in your Chewy Spiced Molasses Cookies.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

Beat in your egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and glossy. The molasses will turn the dough a striking caramel color and introduce that signature rich, spiced flavor.

Step 5: Combine and Chill the Dough

Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until combined—avoid overmixing to keep the cookies soft. If your dough feels especially soft or sticky (thanks, molasses!), pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes. This makes it easier to handle and helps your cookies bake up thick and chewy.

Step 6: Shape and Coat

Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Then, give them a quick roll in extra granulated sugar. This adds a glistening, slightly crisp shell that contrasts beautifully with the soft center.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Arrange your sugared dough balls on the baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each one to allow for spreading. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, watching for the edges to look set while the center stays soft. Be careful not to overbake; slightly underbaked centers yield the chewiest Chewy Spiced Molasses Cookies!

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool right on the baking sheet for 5 minutes—they’ll firm up just enough to handle without losing their softness. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, if you can resist eating them warm!

How to Serve Chewy Spiced Molasses Cookies

Garnishes

If you want to add a little flair to these already special cookies, try a light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving. For a more decadent presentation, drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze or add a dollop of whipped cream on the side. A tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top contrasts beautifully with the sweet-spicy flavor, making your Chewy Spiced Molasses Cookies stand out at any gathering!

Side Dishes

Nothing pairs better with soft, spiced cookies than a mug of hot coffee, chai tea, or even warm apple cider—each sip highlights the deep molasses flavor. If you’re after a classic comfort combo, a tall glass of cold milk brings out the cookies’ chewiness, while a scoop of vanilla ice cream transforms them into an indulgent dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

Get festive by sandwiching vanilla or cinnamon ice cream between two Chewy Spiced Molasses Cookies for the ultimate treat. You could also crumble them over a bowl of yogurt or pudding, or arrange on a platter with other holiday favorites for a cheerful cookie swap display. Stack the cookies in cellophane bags tied with a ribbon for the sweetest homemade gift!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Chewy Spiced Molasses Cookies irresistibly soft, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Tuck in a slice of bread (don’t worry, the cookies won’t taste like bread) to help maintain their delightful chewiness for several days. Perfect for snacking all week long!

Freezing

Both baked cookies and unbaked dough freeze wonderfully! For baked cookies, cool completely, then arrange in a single layer in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. For dough, roll into balls and freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a zip-top bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. When a craving strikes, bake the dough balls straight from the freezer—just add a minute or two to the bake time.

Reheating

If you love your Chewy Spiced Molasses Cookies warm, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds to bring back that straight-from-the-oven softness. If reheating several cookies, gently warm them in a low oven (300°F) for a few minutes. They’ll taste as fresh and delicious as the day you baked them.

FAQs

Can I make Chewy Spiced Molasses Cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1-to-1 baking blend. Be sure to check that all your other ingredients (especially the molasses and spices) are certified gluten-free just to be safe.

What kind of molasses should I use?

Unsulphured or light molasses is ideal for these cookies—it offers bold flavor without veering into bitterness, unlike blackstrap molasses which can be too intense for most palates.

Why are my cookies hard instead of chewy?

Overbaking is usually the culprit. For the chewy magic, bake just until the edges set and the centers look slightly underdone. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.

Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts?

Definitely! Chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, or chopped pecans make wonderful additions. Fold them in after mixing the dough. Just keep mix-ins to about 1 cup total so the cookies keep their signature chewy texture.

How do I get perfectly even cookies every time?

A cookie scoop is your best friend for even, round cookies. It also makes the process faster and less messy! Chill your dough when needed to prevent spreading—and always roll each ball in sugar for that classic sparkle.

Final Thoughts

Baking a batch of Chewy Spiced Molasses Cookies is more than just mixing ingredients—it’s a little bit of kitchen magic. With their bold spices, dark molasses richness, and unforgettable chew, they’re sure to bring big smiles to your table. Give them a try; I promise your cookie jar will never be the same!

Chewy Spiced Molasses Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 27 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Chewy Spiced Molasses Cookies are a delightful treat with a perfect balance of warm spices and sweet molasses. They are soft, chewy, and full of comforting flavors, making them an ideal choice for holiday baking or any time you crave a cozy dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Extra granulated sugar for rolling

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, and mix until smooth.
Combine and Chill: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Chill the dough for 30 minutes if it’s too soft.
Form and Bake: Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls, coat them in granulated sugar, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges are set but centers are still soft.
Cool and Enjoy: Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.