Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies for Santa
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar (plus 1/3 cup extra for rolling)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses (do not use blackstrap)
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preparation and Preheating: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even browning.
- Step 2: Creaming the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar together on medium-high speed. Continue for about 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color.
- Step 3: Adding Liquid Ingredients: Add the egg and the molasses to the butter mixture. Beat well until fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is incorporated.
- Step 4: Combining Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Whisking helps remove lumps and distributes the leavening agent evenly.
- Step 5: Mixing the Cookie Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed just until the flour streaks disappear. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
- Step 6: Chilling the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough makes it easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too thin in the oven.
- Step 7: Shaping and Coating: Place the extra 1/3 cup of sugar in a small bowl. Scoop about one tablespoon of dough at a time and roll it into a 1-inch ball. Roll each ball in the sugar until it is generously coated.
- Step 8: Baking the Cookies: Place the balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. The edges should be set, but the centers should still look slightly soft. They will firm up as they cool.
- Step 9: Cooling: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures they maintain their chewy texture.