Ginger Molasses Christmas Cookies

Ginger Molasses Christmas Cookies – Soft, Spiced, and Full of Holiday Cheer

Few things capture the essence of the holidays quite like the smell of freshly baked ginger molasses cookies. The warm aroma of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves fills the kitchen, instantly wrapping you in the cozy comfort of Christmas. These Ginger Molasses Christmas Cookies are soft, chewy, and perfectly spiced — everything you want in a holiday treat.

This recipe has the perfect balance of sweetness and spice, thanks to rich molasses, buttery dough, and a classic mix of ginger and cinnamon. They’re simple to make, require basic pantry ingredients, and deliver bakery-quality results every time. Whether you bake them for a holiday party, cookie exchange, or a quiet night by the fireplace, these cookies bring that nostalgic Christmas magic to every bite.

Why You’ll Love These Ginger Molasses Cookies

Soft and chewy texture – Melt-in-your-mouth cookies with just the right amount of crisp edges.
Perfectly spiced – A blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves for a warm, festive flavor.
Simple ingredients – No fancy tools or hard-to-find items, just everyday baking staples.
Ideal for gifting – These cookies stay soft for days, making them perfect for holiday boxes or edible gifts.
Foolproof recipe – Easy for beginners but loved by seasoned bakers alike.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make a batch of these classic Christmas cookies:

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 120 per cookie

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them with butter or nonstick spray.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step helps create that soft, chewy texture that makes these cookies irresistible.

Step 3: Add Egg and Molasses

Beat in the egg until combined, then pour in the molasses. Mix well until the batter turns smooth and glossy. The molasses adds moisture, a rich dark color, and that unmistakable holiday flavor.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves. This aromatic blend is what gives your cookies their signature spiced flavor.

Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Be careful not to overmix — you just want everything evenly combined.

Step 6: Shape the Dough

Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. For extra sparkle, you can roll each dough ball in granulated sugar before baking.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes. The cookies should look puffed up and slightly cracked on top. They’ll firm up as they cool, so avoid overbaking.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, they’ll be perfectly chewy and ready to enjoy.

Baking Tips for the Best Ginger Molasses Cookies

Use room-temperature butter – Softened butter creams better, creating light, airy dough.
Don’t skip the molasses – It’s the key to the rich flavor and soft texture.
Chill the dough (optional) – For thicker cookies, chill for 30 minutes before baking.
Watch the bake time – Overbaking leads to dry cookies; remove when edges are just set.
Add sugar coating – Rolling in sugar gives the cookies a lovely sparkle and slight crunch.
Let them cool – They’ll finish setting as they cool, becoming perfectly chewy.

Flavor Variations

These cookies are delicious as-is, but a few small tweaks can make them even more special:

Sugar-rolled version – Roll in coarse sugar for a sparkling finish.
Chocolate-dipped – Dip half of each cookie in melted white or dark chocolate for an elegant twist.
Orange zest – Add 1 teaspoon of orange zest to the dough for a citrusy holiday touch.
Maple glaze – Drizzle with a maple glaze made from powdered sugar and maple syrup.
Extra spice – Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for deeper warmth.

Serving Ideas

These Ginger Molasses Christmas Cookies are perfect for any holiday occasion. Serve them:

With a hot mug of cocoa or mulled cider for a cozy winter evening.
On a Christmas dessert tray alongside sugar cookies and fudge.
Wrapped in tins or boxes for edible gifts.
With vanilla ice cream for a warm-and-cold dessert combo.

They also make the perfect companion for Santa’s cookie plate on Christmas Eve — kids absolutely love their chewy sweetness and spicy aroma.

How to Store and Keep Fresh

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Refrigerate: Keeps fresh for 2 weeks when stored in the fridge.
Freeze: Freeze baked cookies or dough balls for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving or baking.

If stacking cookies, place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Make-Ahead Tips

This dough is freezer-friendly, making it ideal for busy holiday baking. You can:

Freeze the dough balls: Shape and freeze on a tray until solid, then store in a freezer bag.
Bake from frozen: Add 1–2 minutes to the bake time.
Prepare dough ahead: Chill the dough for up to 2 days before baking.

This means you can have warm, fresh cookies whenever the holiday craving hits.

Nutrition Information (Per Cookie)

Calories: 120
Carbohydrates: 17g
Sugar: 9g
Fat: 5g
Protein: 1g
Fiber: 0.5g

They’re indulgent yet perfectly portioned — a sweet treat you can enjoy guilt-free.

The Story Behind These Cookies

There’s something special about recipes that have stood the test of time. Ginger molasses cookies are a nostalgic part of many family traditions. From generations of bakers passing down the recipe to new holiday memories created each year, these cookies are a link between past and present.

They represent the heart of Christmas baking — simple, fragrant, and full of love. Each bite brings back memories of laughter, carols, and the cozy glow of twinkling lights.

Common Questions

Can I use dark molasses?
Yes! Dark molasses adds a deeper, slightly more robust flavor, but light molasses works beautifully for a milder taste. Avoid blackstrap molasses, which is too bitter.

Can I substitute margarine for butter?
Butter gives the best flavor and texture, but margarine can work if needed. Just be sure to use a stick-type margarine, not a spread.

Why did my cookies turn hard?
They may have baked too long or cooled uncovered. To soften, store with a slice of bread in the container overnight.

Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

Final Thoughts

These Ginger Molasses Christmas Cookies are everything a holiday cookie should be — rich, soft, warmly spiced, and full of old-fashioned comfort. From their deep molasses sweetness to their perfectly balanced spice blend, every bite feels like Christmas.

Bake a batch for your loved ones, share them at your next holiday gathering, or enjoy them fresh from the oven with a cup of tea on a chilly evening. No matter when you make them, they’ll fill your home with the nostalgic joy of the season.

Once you try them, they’ll become a part of your family’s holiday baking tradition — just like they have for countless others.