SOFT GINGER MOLASSES COOKIES

Ginger Molasses Cookies are soft, chewy, and full of cozy spice from cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and fresh minced ginger. Rolled in coarse turbinado sugar before baking, they have a rich molasses flavor and a perfectly crisp exterior!

My family loves baking these Molasses Cookies every holiday season — it’s a tradition that fills our home with the warm, comforting aroma of spices. They come out rich, flavorful, and perfectly festive!

Why you’ll love this Holiday Cookie Recipe

• Fresh minced ginger adds extra flavor and a subtle chewy texture you don’t get from ground ginger alone.
• Turbinado sugar coating gives each cookie a beautiful sparkle and a light, crunchy finish.
• Classic holiday spices and molasses fill your home with a cozy, festive aroma while they bake.

Ingredients for Ginger Molasses Cookies

Butter: Use 1 cup butter, softened, to add richness, moisture, and create a soft cookie texture.

Sugars: 1 ¾ cup granulated sugar, combined with ¾ cup brown sugar, adds moisture and a helps the cookies spread as they bake.

Egg: Bind the ingredients by using 1 large egg.

Molasses: Provide that signature dark color, chewy texture, and warm, robust flavor by adding ⅓ cup molasses.

Flour: 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour gives the cookies structure and stability.

Baking soda: Help the cookies rise as they bake with 1 ¼ tsp baking soda.

Spices: Add warmth, spice, and balance the sweetness by adding 1 TBSP cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cloves, 2 tsp nutmeg, and ½ tsp salt.

Ginger: 2 tsp minced ginger brings the signature ginger flavor, adding extra freshness and texture.

Turbinado sugar: Raw Turbinado sugar coats the outside for a sweet crunch and beautiful finish.

What kind of Molasses to use in cookies?

I like to use molasses that’s labeled “Original” or “Mild” for baking cookies. Robust, Blackstrap molasses has a much stronger, more bitter flavor that’s best used in savory dishes like baked beans. The brand I use is called Grandma’s and is found on the baking aisle or near the breakfast syrup of most grocery stores.

How long are these Soft Ginger Cookies good for?

Ginger Molasses Cookies stay fresh for about 5 to 7 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months — just let them cool completely first and layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

What is the best method for freezing Ginger Molasses cookies?

Ginger cookies are easily frozen, either before or after baking them. I prefer to form the cookie dough balls and freeze those so that I can pull them and bake them whenever I need them. This way the cookies will be warm and fresh every time!

To freeze the cookie dough, place the shaped balls on parchment paper on a cookie sheet and freeze for about 30-45 minutes. Then transfer them to an airtight container or Ziplock freezer bag. When you are ready to bake them, just pull them out and place on a cookie sheet, let them thaw for about 10-15 minutes and then bake as usual.

You can also freeze the cookies once they have been baked. Just make sure they have cooled all they way to room temperature and then place them in an airtight container in the freezer. Cookies will stay good in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Can I use ground ginger instead of minced ginger?

Yes! Ground ginger works well, but minced ginger gives a fresher, spicier flavor.

Why are my cookies hard instead of chewy?

This can happen if they’re overbaked — take them out when the edges are set but the centers still look soft.

Can I skip rolling them in Turbinado sugar?

You can, but the sugar adds a lovely crunch and sparkle that makes these cookies extra special.

Enjoy more Christmas cookie recipes here:

• Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are buttery cookies studded with crushed candy canes and finished with a rich chocolate fudge center, making them a delightfully festive treat!
• These Soft Gingerbread Cookies are filled with warm cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and rich molasses flavor. They stay delightfully soft for days, filling your kitchen with the cozy aroma of the holidays!
• Caramel Thumbprint Cookies are buttery shortbread cookies rolled in pecans, baked to perfection, and filled with rich, gooey caramel. A festive favorite, they’re always a hit at holiday cookie exchanges!
• Topped with sprinkles and a candy cane handle, these Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups are a fun and delicious treat perfect for the holidays!
• Mint Christmas Cookies are buttery shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with festive holiday toppings. These green, minty treats are perfect for cookie exchanges and holiday gift plates!
• Our Holiday Star Cookies are bright, buttery vanilla shortbread cookies, candy-coated and sprinkled to festive perfection. Melt-in-your-mouth delicious, they’re a holiday favorite everyone will love!

Ginger Molasses Cookies are full of warm, cozy spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and fresh minced ginger. Rolled in coarse Turbinado sugar, they have a rich molasses flavor with a slightly crisp, sparkling exterior.