Soft and Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies: The Ultimate Holiday Baking Recipe

Step into the festive season with a batch of these truly irresistible Soft and Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies. They embody the very spirit of the holidays, offering a delightful blend of warm, bold spices that awaken the senses. Each bite delivers a harmonious symphony of freshly ground ginger, aromatic cinnamon, allspice, a surprising hint of black peppercorn, and the exotic touch of star anise. And, of course, the deep, rich sweetness of molasses ties all these incredible flavors together into a cookie that’s nothing short of delightful.

If you’re a fan of ginger-infused treats, you’ll undoubtedly adore these cookies. For more delightful ginger-based creations, don’t miss our Gingerdoodles or the decadent Spiced Molasses Cookie Cream Pies. These recipes are sure to become new favorites in your baking repertoire.

One ingredient that often raises an eyebrow is the black peppercorn. While it might seem a peculiar addition to a sweet cookie, this subtle inclusion is a game-changer. It doesn’t make the cookies spicy in a chili-like way, but rather adds an amazing, invigorating ‘zing’ that elevates the overall flavor profile. It creates a beautifully balanced warmth, enhancing the natural sweetness and earthy notes of the molasses to an unparalleled level of deliciousness. This carefully calibrated spice blend ensures that every bite is rich, complex, and utterly satisfying.

The Heart of the Flavor: Ginger and Premium Spice Blends

The secret to truly exceptional ginger molasses cookies lies in the quality and freshness of your spices. We believe that using freshly ground spices can transform a good cookie into an extraordinary one. For this recipe, we had the pleasure of incorporating a flavorful spice blend from Raw Spice Bar.

Raw Spice Bar specializes in delivering freshly ground, small-batch spices and unique spice blends directly to your home. Their “Unpumpkin Pie Spice Blend” used in these cookies is a testament to the difference fresh ingredients make. Unlike many mass-produced spices found in grocery stores, Raw Spice Bar’s offerings boast a vibrant aroma and potent flavor that truly shines through in your baking. They provide an easy way to access gourmet spices from around the world, ensuring your dishes are always infused with the highest quality flavors.

Beyond individual spice blends, Raw Spice Bar also offers a convenient subscription service for those who love to experiment with global flavors. Subscribers receive a curated selection of freshly ground spices, ready-to-use blends, herbs, and finishing salts. They also have an array of gift sets and smart spice storage solutions, making them an excellent choice for anyone who appreciates the art of cooking and baking with organic, high-quality spices. Their affordable prices make premium spices accessible, making them an ideal gift for any culinary enthusiast.

Crafting Your Own Signature “Unpumpkin Pie” Spice Blend

While premium spice blends like those from Raw Spice Bar offer unparalleled convenience and quality, you can certainly create a fantastic spice mix at home if you don’t have their specific blend on hand. This homemade “Unpumpkin Pumpkin Pie Spice” blend offers a robust and aromatic profile, perfectly suited for these ginger molasses cookies. Here’s what you’ll need to create your own:

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Provides warm, sweet, and woody notes, a quintessential baking spice.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves: Adds a pungent, sweet, and slightly bitter aroma, bringing depth to the blend.
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg: Offers a warm, nutty, and subtly sweet flavor that rounds out the spice profile.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger: Essential for that characteristic ginger kick, adding a fresh, spicy, and slightly peppery taste.
• Optional: Crushed cracked peppercorns, 5-8 grinds or 1/2 to 2/3 teaspoon: For that unique zing and subtle warmth that makes these cookies truly special. Don’t skip this if you dare to be different!

Combine these spices thoroughly in a small bowl before adding them to your cookie dough. Adjust quantities slightly to match your preferred intensity.

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Batch

Creating these delightful ginger molasses cookies starts with a selection of common pantry staples and a few key flavor enhancers. Gathering your ingredients before you begin ensures a smooth and enjoyable baking process. Here’s everything you’ll need to bake a batch of these soft, chewy, and aromatic treats:

Soft and Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies Ingredients:

• Unsalted butter, softened to room temperature: 12 tablespoons (1 & 1/2 sticks). Softened butter is crucial for a smooth, airy batter.
• Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve that characteristic crinkled top.
• Molasses: The star ingredient, offering deep, rich, and slightly smoky notes that define these cookies.
• Egg: Acts as a binder and adds moisture to the dough.
• All-purpose flour: The foundational dry ingredient, providing structure.
• Baking soda: A leavening agent that helps the cookies spread and become tender.
• Raw Spice Bar Pumpkin Pie Spice or your homemade blend (see recipe above): The heart of the cookie’s flavor profile.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.

For the Sugar Coating:

• Granulated sugar or coarse sugar for rolling: This creates a beautiful sparkling finish and a delightful crunchy exterior. For an extra touch of gourmet flavor, consider using Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Vanilla Sugar, as suggested for a truly special result.

How to Make Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Baking these soft and chewy ginger molasses cookies is a straightforward and rewarding process. Follow these detailed steps to ensure perfectly spiced, tender cookies every time:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Proper oven temperature is key for even baking.
2. Prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Set them aside.

Mixing the Cookie Dough:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together all the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, your chosen spice blend (Raw Spice Bar Pumpkin Pie Spice or your homemade cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger blend), and salt. This ensures the spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter on medium-high speed for about 30 seconds until creamy. Add the granulated sugar and continue beating for approximately 3 minutes, or until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color. This creaming process incorporates air, contributing to the cookie’s soft texture.
3. Add the egg and molasses to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat just until these wet ingredients are fully combined. Avoid overmixing at this stage.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined. Mix only until no streaks of flour remain to prevent developing tough cookies.

Forming and Baking the Cookies:

1. Pour about ¼ cup of granulated sugar (or Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Vanilla Sugar for a gourmet touch) into a shallow bowl for rolling.
2. Using a cookie scoop (a large ¼ cup scoop for bigger cookies or a medium 1 ½ tablespoon scoop for standard size), portion out the cookie dough. Gently roll each portion into a smooth ball between your palms, or simply use the shape from the scoop.
3. Roll each dough ball generously in the sugar until it’s completely coated. This sugar coating creates the signature sparkly, crinkled exterior.
4. Place the sugar-coated cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, ensuring you leave approximately 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking.
5. Bake the cookies in your preheated oven:
   • For large cookies (¼ cup scoop), bake for 12-13 minutes.
   • For medium cookies (1 ½ tablespoon scoop), bake for 9-11 minutes.

   Cookies are done when the edges are set and lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly soft.

6. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for a couple of minutes. This allows them to set further.
7. Carefully transfer the partially cooled cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. This prevents the bottoms from becoming soggy and ensures a perfectly chewy texture throughout.

Pro Tips for the Best Ginger Molasses Cookies

Achieving that perfect soft and chewy texture with a delightful crinkled top is an art, but these simple tips will help you master it:

• Chilling the Dough for Optimal Results: While not strictly necessary, chilling your cookie dough can significantly improve the final outcome. You have two main options:
  1. Scoop and roll the dough balls in sugar first, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes before baking.
  2. Alternatively, you can chill the entire dough in the fridge for 15-30 minutes, and then scoop and roll the chilled dough into sugar balls right before baking.

  Both methods work wonderfully. Chilling helps the dough firm up, which in turn controls excessive spreading during baking, promotes better caramelization, and ultimately enhances the depth of flavor. Even a short chill can make a noticeable difference in the texture and appearance of your cookies. However, if you’re short on time, these cookies are still fantastic baked without chilling, as we’ve tested both methods with delicious results.

• Elevating Flavor with Vanilla Sugar: For an extra layer of gourmet flavor, we highly recommend rolling these Soft and Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies in Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar. This vanilla-infused sugar adds a subtle yet complex sweetness to the exterior, complementing the spices beautifully. We also incorporated some Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Vanilla Extract directly into the cookie dough for an even richer vanilla presence. Nielsen-Massey products are renowned for their exceptional quality and can truly elevate your baking.

Proper Storage for Lasting Freshness

To keep your Soft and Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies at their best, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain wonderfully fresh and delicious for up to a week, though it’s unlikely they’ll last that long!

These truly are some of the most flavorful and comforting spiced Christmas ginger cookies you’ll ever bake. They are absolutely perfect for cozying up with a cold glass of milk, a warm mug of hot chocolate, or your favorite holiday beverage. The blend of sweet, spicy, and molasses-rich flavors makes them an instant classic and a staple for any festive gathering. Who’s ready to fill their home with the incredible aroma and taste of these sweet and spicy holiday cookies? They’re more than just a treat; they’re a warm hug in cookie form!

Explore More Spiced Desserts You’ll Love

If you have a passion for spiced baked goods and comforting flavors, you’re in for a treat! Discover more recipes that will bring warmth and joy to your kitchen:

• Spiced Gingerbread Loaf with Lemon Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
• ‘Awesome’ Cinnamon Applesauce Cake
• Hearty Pumpkin Chai Spiced Oatmeal Cookies (with Chocolate Chips & Cranberries)
• German Spiced Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake – (Keto | Sugar Free Option too!)
• Soft Almond Cookies with Almond Buttercream
• Learn How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract!
• Check out Nielsen-Massey and McCrea’s Gift Ideas for the bakers and foodies in your life!
• Gingerbread Bars

*Note: I received the RAW SPICE products for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.