Description
Soft, chewy holiday cookies with a crisp edge, coated in sparkling coarse sugar. This easy one-bowl recipe delivers the perfect balance of spicy ginger and deep molasses flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (220g) packed dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) unsulphured blackstrap molasses
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (100g) coarse sugar (turbinado or demerara) for coating
Instructions
- Cream the room temperature butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes with mixer, 5-7 minutes by hand).
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the molasses until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix just until the flour disappears. Do not overmix.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours) to prevent spreading and enhance flavor.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop dough into 1.5-tablespoon balls, roll in hands to smooth, and coat thoroughly in coarse sugar.
- Place dough balls on baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are set but centers still look soft. Rotate pans halfway through for even browning.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent spreading. If short on time, freeze for 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To keep soft, add a slice of bread to the container. Dough can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
Keywords: molasses cookies, ginger cookies, holiday baking, chewy cookies, easy cookie recipe, Christmas treats, one-bowl cookies