Ginger Molasses Cookies

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These ginger molasses cookies are a little twist on our famous old fashion molasses cookies recipe. These are definitely worth trying. You can never have too many molasses cookies, right?

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If you’re looking for the best cookies to add to your Christmas cookie platter, try adding a little ground ginger to your soft and chewy molasses cookies. Growing up, one of the few things I loved about the holidays are the variety of holiday cookies made this time of the year.

Why make these ginger cookies?

• These classic ginger cookies have a soft and chewy texture, with a wonderful flavor of molasses and ginger. 
• I am using a stand mixer, but you can use a large bowl and whisk as well. 
• Most of the ingredients are simple pantry staples or easy to find such as molasses.
• And these can be made in just about 30 to 40 minutes from start to finish.  
• This is kids’ approved favorite cookie so make sure to double the recipe.
• Also, they make perfect gifts to give family and friends during the holiday season. Once baked, and cooled completely, just wrap them in plastic and tie a pretty bowl.
• In addition, the process is also very simple and straightforward:
  • Prepare the cookie dough – 10 mins
  • Chill cookie dough – 15 mins
  • Bake cookies – 10 mins

Ingredients and substitutions

• All-purpose flour – The amount of flour in the recipe will determine how dense the cookies will be. So, make sure to measure the ingredients correctly.
• Sugar – I like to use white sugar for that wonderful crisp outside and molasses for that soft and chewy inside. But, you can also use a combination of white and brown sugar.
• Egg – We have just one egg so make it a large egg. 
• Molasses – Use unsulphured molasses. I like to use dark molasses, light molasses just does not give it enough molasses flavor. 
• Spices – Today, I am using 1 teaspoon ground ginger, just a 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and freshly grated nutmeg. You can also use teaspoon ground cloves. 

How to make ginger molasses cookies

• Dry ingredients – In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, spices, and ground ginger – and set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, on medium speed, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

• Next, add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract. Followed by the flour mixture. Combine well over low speed but do not overmix.
  Pro tip – We do not want to activate the gluten in our dough so do not overmix. Otherwise, the cookies will spread too much.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.
  Pro tip – The cookie dough can be refrigerated for a week or frozen for up to a month. 

• Preheat oven at 350°F / 177°C / Gas Mark 4 and line a sheet pan or two baking sheets with silicone or parchment paper.
• Using a cookie scoop, or two tablespoons amount of cookie dough, make golf size balls. Then, coat the cookie dough balls in the white granulated sugar.
  Pro tip – You can also make the cookie dough balls and freeze them for up to a month in a freezer bag.

• Place on the baking tray, making sure to leave space for them to spread. Bake in a preheated oven for 8 to 9 minutes until the top is cracked.
  Pro tip – Larger cookies will take about 10 minutes and vise versa.
• Cool on a cookie tray for 5 minutes. Then, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before you transfer to a cookie jar.

Variations to the molasses cookies?

• Roll in brown sugar – Light brown sugar enhances the flavor of the molasses in the cookies.
• Chocolate –
  • You can add 2 tbsp of cocoa powder to these to make a version of chocolate molasses cookies.
  • You could also drizzle some chocolate on the baked cookies.
  • Or, you could also dip half the cookie into melted white chocolate. Then, sprinkle some festive sprinkles!
• With nuts – Add 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts.

Tips for success

• Always have all the ingredients at room temperature so the butter and sugar can cream until light and fluffy. 
• Rest the dough before rolling the cookies. Resting helps the butter firm up again, which makes it easier to work and prevents spreading.
• And if the cookie dough is too soft, put it back in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Chilling the cookie dough will prevent spreading.
• Preheat the oven for a good 15 minutes making sure the oven is at the right temperature. A cold oven will spread the cookies.
• It is a  good practice to place cookies in the fridge while the oven is preheating to prevent them from spreading.
• When baked, leave the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. This will prevent them from sweating on the bottom. 

Creative ways to serve ginger molasses cookies

• Cookie Sandwiches: Pair two ginger molasses cookies with a filling of lemon cream or spiced buttercream to make delightful sandwich cookies.
• Cookie Dipping Station: Set up a station with various warm dipping sauces like white chocolate, dark chocolate, and caramel for guests to dip their cookies.
• Ginger Molasses Cookie and Ice Cream Pair: Serve the cookies warm with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for a comforting dessert.
• Ginger Molasses Cookie Jar Gifts: Package the cookies in decorative jars tied with ribbons as a festive and heartfelt gift.
• Ginger Molasses Cookie S’mores: Replace the traditional graham crackers with ginger molasses cookies to make s’mores with a spicy twist.
• Ginger Molasses Cookie Trifle: Create a dessert trifle with layers of crumbled cookies, spiced whipped cream, and pumpkin custard for a festive dessert.
• Cookie Crust for Pies or Tarts: Crush the cookies to form a crust for pies or tarts, providing a spicy and rich base for your desserts.
• Cookie Cheese Pairing: Serve the cookies alongside a cheese board with cheeses that complement the rich flavors of the cookies, such as brie or camembert.
• Holiday Cookie Wreath: Arrange the cookies in the shape of a wreath on a serving platter, decorating with fresh cranberries and mint leaves for a festive presentation.
• Tea and Cookie Pairing: Pair the cookies with a variety of spiced teas, like chai or cinnamon tea, for a warm and comforting snack.
• Cookie Decorating Station: Set up a decorating station with edible gold dust, colored sugar, and other festive toppings for a creative cookie decorating session.
• Ginger Molasses Cookie Milkshake: Blend the cookies with milk and gingerbread spice ice cream to create a festive and spiced milkshake.
• Ginger Molasses Rum Balls: Create rum balls using crumbled cookies mixed with nuts and rum for a spirited holiday treat.
• Individual Dessert Shooters: Serve dessert shooters by layering crumbled cookies with layers of pudding or mousse in small glasses or shot glasses for a mini dessert option.
• Spiced Hot Chocolate Pairing: Serve the cookies alongside spiced hot chocolate, complementing the rich and spicy flavors of the cookies for a cozy treat.

More holiday cookies

• Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
• Gingerbread Cookies Recipe
• Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
• The Best Vanilla Sugar Cookies
• Ginger Shortbread with Molasses
• Gingerbread Sugar Cookies
• See all holiday cookies or all cookie recipes

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