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    Home » Recipes » Cookies

    Molasses Sugar Cookies

    Published: December 4, 2015 · Last Updated: April 30, 2022 by Heather · This post may contain affiliate links · 26 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    The molasses sugar cookies are perfectly round cookies that are super moist thanks to shortening and molasses in the dough. This recipe makes 72 cookies, so it's perfect for a large party or gathering!

    molasses sugar cookie stacked up

    I really do enjoy baking Christmas cookies. Each holiday season, I love to peruse cookbooks and Pinterest to find inspiration for new cookie ideas. There’s always a reason to bake cookies around the holiday season—work Christmas parties, cookie swaps, the list could be endless!

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Heather's helpful hints
    • More cookie recipes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Why you'll love this recipe

    I’m a fan of cookies that come together quickly and only use one bowl. These molasses sugar cookies fit the bill just perfectly. They are a wonderful chewy spice cookie that has hints of ginger and clove. Molasses performs the same nifty trick that brown sugar will in baked goods, adding a firm chewiness to these cookies. The cookies are nearly crisp at the edges and though they are exceptionally chewy, they aren't soft.

    molasses sugar cookies on a plate

    Heather's helpful hints

    I'm quite firm about using real butter for all my baking recipes, but molasses cookies are the one exception. Using shortening will give this cookie its chewiness so I'd recommend NOT to substitute with butter.

    More cookie recipes

    Our recipe index is a great place to search all My Sweet Precision recipes!

    • Chocolate and Espresso Mocha Snowball Cookies
    • Chewy Meringue Cookies with Blackberry Jam
    • Peanut Butter Heart Cookies
    • Irish Soda Bread Cookies
    overhead shot of molasses sugar cookies

    Recipe

    Molasses Sugar Cookies

    The molasses sugar cookies are perfectly round cookies that are super moist thanks to shortening and molasses in the dough. This recipe makes 72 cookies, so it's perfect for a large party or gathering!
    Print Pin Comment
    5 from 1 vote
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Yield: 72

    Equipment

    • 19 x 13-inch half-sheet baking pan

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups shortening
    • 2 cups white sugar
    • ½ cup molasses
    • 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

    • Melt the shortening in a large pan on the stove, and cool. Add sugar, eggs, and molasses, beat well. In a separate bowl, sift dry ingredients together and add to the pan. Mix well and chill 3 hours or overnight.
    • Form into walnut-size balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place on greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
    • Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes.
    • Store in an airtight container to keep from getting overly crisp. If they do lose their softness, an easy way to restore it is to place one slice of fresh bread in the container with the cookies for a couple of hours or overnight and they will be soft again!

    Notes and Tips

    I'm quite firm about using real butter for all my baking recipes, but molasses cookies are the one exception. Using shortening will give this cookie its chewiness so I'd recommend NOT to substitute with butter.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 93kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 96mg | Potassium: 44mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you try this recipe?!Mention @mysweetprecision on Instagram and hashtag it #mysweetprecision!

    Did you make this recipe?! First, let me say THANK YOU for giving it a try!

    Please leave us a rating and feedback in the comments section at the bottom of this post. I always love to hear your thoughts and ideas on what went well — and didn't — with a recipe!

    Happy Baking!
    Heather

    « Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie
    Old Fashioned Fruit Cake »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Charlotte

      December 01, 2022 at 5:53 pm

      My mom made these every holiday time, I loved them. She always used shortening in these cookies. I do not remember her melting it just whipped it with a hand mixer. Do you need to melt it?

      Reply
      • Heather

        December 02, 2022 at 2:11 pm

        Hi Charlotte, I'm so glad you have a fond memory of these cookies! I've only tested this recipe by melting the shortening since it makes it much easier to incorporate the sugar, eggs, and molasses. My only worry is that whipping it would make it more difficult to mix everything together. I think if you used a hand mixer or stand mixer, it might be possible. Let me know if you give it a try!

        Reply
    2. mom

      February 01, 2016 at 8:41 pm

      One of my all time favorite cookies and yours are so moist and chewy! I could eat way more than I need to.....several days in a row. Great post. Brought back some fun memories of days in the kitchen with you and with my grandma.

      Reply
      • Heather @ Sweet Precision

        February 02, 2016 at 8:48 am

        Oh yes, these were an absolute favorite of mine! I actually read someone that said she got hers to last for 3 weeks in storage?! I don't know that I would be that brave, but they do keep very well.

        Reply
    3. cookiesnchem

      December 18, 2015 at 1:26 pm

      This looks scrumptious! I've never had molasses before but I'm sure those cookies are just heavenly and perfect for the holidays. Thank you for sharing such a fabulous recipe - on the to-make list now! :)

      Reply
      • Heather @ Sweet Precision

        December 18, 2015 at 2:54 pm

        Thank you Cindy! Molasses definitely has really distinct flavor but I think you'll like them. My husband was a little skeptical at first but ended up loving them :)

        Reply
        • cookiesnchem

          December 18, 2015 at 3:32 pm

          I am sure I will! They look chewy and perfectly flavourful. I think I'll give this recipe a try! My mom has blackstrap molasses at home. Is that the type you used?

          Reply
          • Heather @ Sweet Precision

            December 18, 2015 at 4:45 pm

            Wonderful! Blackstrap molasses is delicious but it does have a little bit of a bitter taste that might not be the best for cookies. You'd be safe with and dark molasses from the grocery store though!

            Reply
    4. Antonia

      December 10, 2015 at 11:54 am

      My mother-in-law makes something similar to ting-a-lings. I love the crunch and savory aspect of the chow mein noodles with the sweet. Your cookies look divine. I don't bake with molasses enough..I have to try these :-)

      Reply
      • Heather @ Sweet Precision

        December 10, 2015 at 12:44 pm

        My mom got the ting-a-ling recipe from her grandmother! I did some poking around on the internet and it seems like there are some recipes out there but I definitely don't think it's a dessert that is widely known. Glad to hear that you enjoy them as well :)

        Reply
        • Antonia

          December 10, 2015 at 3:42 pm

          I asked my mother-in-law and she uses butterscotch not chocolate. For some reason I thought it was chocolate ;) I bet the ting-a-lings are awesome! Don't you just love childhood food memories...

          Reply
          • Heather @ Sweet Precision

            December 10, 2015 at 9:54 pm

            Yummy! I bet butterscotch tastes wonderful as well. I will have to try this next time I make a batch, which very well may be this weekend. We've got a cookie swap at work on Monday :) I agree Antonia, there is something special about those foods we remember from childhood!

            Reply
    5. tableofcolors

      December 09, 2015 at 4:37 pm

      I have not made molasses cookies for years...I can just about taste your by looking at the photos on my screen. Too bad you can't send me a virtual sample ;) Maybe I'll "need" to make them this Christmas :)

      Reply
      • Heather @ Sweet Precision

        December 10, 2015 at 9:36 am

        This was the first time that I had made molasses cookies in a looong time. They are more of an old fashioned cookie it seems. I think that all food blogs should come with free sampling, it's only fair right?! :)

        Reply
    6. Sherri

      December 09, 2015 at 11:33 am

      Mmmmm...I can smell these delicious looking cookies from here! Oh Heather, I remember all those homemade cookie swaps when I lived in the States. People here don't do that so much and I miss it. I loved making all those homemade treats with the kids and wrapping them prettily. They make such great gifts :-)

      Reply
      • Heather @ Sweet Precision

        December 10, 2015 at 9:40 am

        The cookie swaps are so much fun Sherri! Sometimes I find myself getting a little overwhelmed with all the baking, but I know that I would miss the tradition if I didn't have the opportunity. During the holidays I've found that I'm a fan of cookie recipes that require minimal work and come together quickly.

        Reply
        • Sherri

          December 10, 2015 at 12:23 pm

          My kind of cookie recipe too Heather...and yes, I feel the same kind of pressure on every front, but those traditions are so important and we feel so happy when we've done it :-)

          Reply
    7. Jasline @ Foodie Baker

      December 07, 2015 at 5:09 am

      I love cinnamon cookies, but have never added ginger in them, hope to give this a try soon, these look delicious!

      Reply
      • Heather @ Sweet Precision

        December 07, 2015 at 8:47 pm

        Thank you! Yes the ginger is definitely an excellent addition, it gives them a little extra spice!

        Reply
    8. Francesca

      December 06, 2015 at 11:03 pm

      Gorgeous cookies, Heather! This afternoon Her Majesty and I made some chocolate chip cookies and the whole thing turned out to be a total disaster! ???? Wish you would have been in the kitchen with us!

      Reply
      • Heather @ Sweet Precision

        December 07, 2015 at 8:46 pm

        Oh no, that is the worst feeling when a batch of cookies doesn't turn out. It's happened to me before and I know it's such a disappointment. Especially if you have to waste some of your ingredients. I always say you learn the most when things don't go the way you planned though. Im sure your next batch will be fabulous ☺️

        Reply
    9. Lynz Real Cooking

      December 06, 2015 at 3:03 pm

      I really love these cookies! My grama used to make them! I will try your recipe!

      Reply
      • Heather @ Sweet Precision

        December 06, 2015 at 3:12 pm

        Yes, my grandma had a slightly different recipe for molasses cookies also! I always think of these as a more old fashioned type of cookie!

        Reply
        • Lynz Real Cooking

          December 06, 2015 at 3:14 pm

          yummm

          Reply
    10. Stephanie Leduc

      December 04, 2015 at 9:57 pm

      Yummy!! I love molasses cookies, and this recipe makes SO many of them! Must be amazing, this is a great recipe for the holidays :)

      Reply
      • Heather @ Sweet Precision

        December 06, 2015 at 2:40 pm

        Thank you! The added bonus is that this recipe makes so many cookies you can use them for several different occasions!

        Reply

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    I am a wife and mother, baker, photographer, blogger, and cupcake lover. I've been baking from a young age. With my easy-to-follow recipe ideas, you can create delicious desserts in your home kitchen! Let's get started baking!

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