By Becky Hardin
Updated Dec 9, 2025
Molasses Cookies are a holiday staple around my house. This is a recipe from my Mom, and every Christmas I look forward to her making several batches of us to devour. This recipe yields such chewy cookies, with warm spices and a delicious molasses flavor. They’re the perfect treat to fill your cookie jar!
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5-Star Review
“Awesome. My fam ate them up and I had to make more the next day. Love these cookies.” -Jacq K.
Easy Molasses Cookie Recipe
Rich and flavorful molasses make these classic molasses cookies soft and chewy. They have a warm and nostalgic flavor that reminds me of home. Just writing about them makes me crave a batch—honestly, I might need to bake a dozen today to fix that.
While molasses cookies and gingerbread cookies share similar cozy spices, gingerbread cookies are usually crunchier and more shortbread-like. When I’m in the mood for a truly soft and chewy cookie, this molasses cookie recipe is the one I always reach for.
Tips for Beginners
- Use light molasses. I like light molasses, but a dark or “robust” molasses will work and enrich the flavor and color of the cookies. Steer clear of blackstrap molasses.
- Use butter and shortening . You can use half shortening and half butter if you like the flavor better.
- Use all the baking soda. 4 teaspoons of baking soda is correct. This helps to cut the acidity of the molasses and prevents greasy, flat cookies. It also helps keep them soft and chewy.
- Adjust the spice. Adjust the amount of spices up or down, or add cardamom, allspice, or black pepper for even more flavor. Citrus zest is also an option.
- Add texture. Stir in dried fruits or nuts. And chocolate lover that I am, I’ve even added white chocolate chips for an extra pop of sweetness and texture.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1½ cups vegetable shortening 276g, melted (1½ sticks)
- ▢ 2 cups granulated sugar 400g, plus more for rolling
- ▢ ¼ cup unsulphured molasses 85g
- ▢ 2 large eggs 100g, slightly beaten
- ▢ 4 cups all-purpose flour 480g
- ▢ 4 tsp baking soda 24g
- ▢ 1 tsp kosher salt 3g
- ▢ 1 tsp ground cloves 3g
- ▢ 1 tsp ground ginger 3g
- ▢ 2 tsp ground cinnamon 6g
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Using a hand mixer, beat the melted shortening, sugar, and molasses together in a large bowl for 3 minutes. 1½ cups vegetable shortening, 2 cups granulated sugar, ¼ cup unsulphured molasses
- Add the eggs and beat until well blended, about 2 minutes. 2 large eggs
- Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. 4 cups all-purpose flour, 4 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp ground cloves, 1 tsp ground ginger, 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Add the dry ingredients to the shortening/sugar mixture and beat until thoroughly blended.
- Let the cookie dough stand for 5-10 minutes.
- Roll into balls, then roll the balls in sugar (optional, my family prefers these without the sugar on top).
- Place onto parchment-covered cookie sheets 3 inches apart and bake for 10-11 minutes, or until firm around the edges but not completely set.
- Place cookies on a cooling rack to cool completely.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Baking Sheet
- Hand Mixer
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Molasses Cookies Step by Step
Get the oven going and prepare a baking sheet : Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Cream the butter and sugars: Beat 1½ cups of melted shortening, 2 cups of granulated sugar, and ¼ cup of unsulphured molasses together in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. This usually takes me about 3 minutes.
Add eggs: Add 2 large eggs and beat until well blended, about 2 minutes.
Whisk the dry ingredients: Combine 4 cups all-purpose flour, 4 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp ground cloves, 1 tsp ground ginger, and 2 tsp ground cinnamon in a medium bowl.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the shortening/sugar mixture and beat until thoroughly blended.
Rest the dough: Let the cookie dough stand for 5-10 minutes.
Roll the dough: Roll the dough into balls, then roll the balls in sugar. This is optional; my family prefers these cookies without the sugar, so I omit this step. Place the cookies onto parchment-covered cookie sheets 3 inches apart.
Bake and cool: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-11 minutes, or until firm around the edges but not completely set. Place cookies on a cooling rack to cool completely.
Serve: Transfer the cookies to a serving platter and enjoy.
How to Store
Store leftover molasses cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
These molasses cookies freeze beautifully and will keep for up to 1 month. Store them in an airtight container or Ziplock bag to maintain their freshness. You can enjoy them straight out of the freezer or let them come to room temperature first.
Serving Suggestions
I find these holiday-spiced cookies are perfect for dunking into a warm glass of milk, oat milk for non-dairy lovers, or even rich, creamy eggnog . If I’m in the mood for frosting, this vanilla frosting complements the sweet and spicy flavors of the cookie well.
more cookie recipes
Hershey Kiss Cookies
Strawberry Cookies
Gooey Butter Cookies
Pignoli Cookies (Pine Nut Cookies)
Molasses Cookies Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Baking Sheet
- Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- 1½ cups vegetable shortening 276g, melted (1½ sticks)
- 2 cups granulated sugar 400g, plus more for rolling
- ¼ cup unsulphured molasses 85g
- 2 large eggs 100g, slightly beaten
- 4 cups all-purpose flour 480g
- 4 tsp baking soda 24g
- 1 tsp kosher salt 3g
- 1 tsp ground cloves 3g
- 1 tsp ground ginger 3g
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon 6g
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Using a hand mixer, beat the melted shortening, sugar, and molasses together in a large bowl for 3 minutes. 1½ cups vegetable shortening, 2 cups granulated sugar, ¼ cup unsulphured molasses
- Add the eggs and beat until well blended, about 2 minutes. 2 large eggs
- Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. 4 cups all-purpose flour, 4 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp ground cloves, 1 tsp ground ginger, 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Add the dry ingredients to the shortening/sugar mixture and beat until thoroughly blended.
- Let the cookie dough stand for 5-10 minutes.
- Roll into balls, then roll the balls in sugar (optional, my family prefers these without the sugar on top).
- Place onto parchment-covered cookie sheets 3 inches apart and bake for 10-11 minutes, or until firm around the edges but not completely set.
- Place cookies on a cooling rack to cool completely.
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
