Molasses Spice Cookies with Sweet Glaze

These delightful treats are a beloved classic, known for their rich, spicy flavors and comforting chewiness. This recipe, adapted slightly from a cherished family tradition, promises to bring a touch of nostalgic warmth to your home.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the art of making the best frosted molasses cookies, offering an easy-to-follow recipe, expert tips, and creative variations to customize these festive delights. Get ready to fill your home with the inviting aroma of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, culminating in a plate of beautifully frosted masterpieces that are sure to impress.

Essential Ingredients for Your Molasses Masterpiece

For detailed quantities and precise instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.

Core Ingredients:

• Softened Butter: The foundation of rich, tender cookies. Ensure it’s at room temperature for smooth creaming with sugar.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve that desirable chewy texture.
• Large Egg: Acts as a binder, adding moisture and richness to the dough.
• Molasses: The star ingredient, lending its distinctive dark, sweet, and slightly smoky flavor. Opt for light or robust molasses; avoid blackstrap as its flavor can be too intense for these cookies.
• Cooled Coffee: A secret ingredient that deepens the molasses flavor without making the cookies taste like coffee. It also adds a subtle richness.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural base of your cookies. Measure it correctly by spooning into a cup and leveling.
• Baking Soda: Our leavening agent, which reacts with the molasses (an acidic ingredient) to create a soft, puffy cookie.
• Ground Ginger: Provides the signature warmth and slight spice that defines molasses cookies.
• Ground Nutmeg and Cloves: These aromatic spices complement the ginger, adding complexity and depth to the flavor profile.

For the Creamy Frosting:

• Powdered Sugar: The base for a smooth, lump-free frosting.
• Milk: Used to achieve the perfect spreadable consistency for your frosting. You can use any milk (dairy or non-dairy).
• Optional: Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla can enhance the frosting’s flavor, adding another layer of sweetness.

Choosing quality ingredients is key to making these Frosted Molasses Cookies truly exceptional. Fresh spices will make a noticeable difference in the final taste, so check their expiry dates!

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Frosted Molasses Cookies

Creating these delightful frosted molasses cookies is a straightforward process that yields incredibly rewarding results. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a perfect batch every time.

1. Prepare the Wet Ingredients:

Begin by creaming together the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer. Beat on high speed for approximately 2 minutes, or until the mixture becomes visibly smooth, light, and creamy. This step incorporates air, contributing to the cookies’ tender texture.

Next, reduce the mixer speed to low and incorporate the rich molasses and large egg. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. The mixture will be dark and fragrant, ready for the dry ingredients.

2. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour with the baking soda, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves. This ensures the spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.

Gradually add a small portion of the spiced flour mixture to the wet batter, mixing on low speed with your hand mixer. As the flour begins to incorporate, continue to add the remaining flour, alternating with small additions of the cooled coffee. This technique helps to prevent the dough from becoming tough and ensures a smooth, well-combined consistency. Continue mixing until all the flour and coffee are fully integrated into the cookie dough, forming a cohesive mixture.

3. Chill and Prepare for Baking:

Once your dough is ready, cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least an hour. Chilling the dough is a crucial step that helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring they retain their shape and chewy texture. It also allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your baking sheets. Line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper. Parchment paper is essential for preventing sticking and ensuring easy cleanup.

4. Portion and Bake the Cookies:

Using a small cookie scoop (one tablespoon capacity is ideal) or a rounded teaspoon, drop portions of the chilled dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Make sure to leave approximately 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for proper spreading. If you’re using a different size scoop, remember to adjust your baking time accordingly.

Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. The exact time may vary based on your oven, so keep an eye on them. The cookies should appear set around the edges but still be slightly soft in the middle. This slight underbaking is key to their signature chewy texture. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for at least 5 minutes. This allows them to firm up without breaking. Afterward, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a rack ensures even airflow, preventing a soggy bottom.

Repeat this process with any remaining cookie dough until all your delightful molasses cookies are baked.

5. Frost and Enjoy:

Once the cookies have cooled completely—this is very important to prevent the frosting from melting—it’s time for the crowning touch! Prepare a simple frosting by whisking together powdered sugar and milk. Start with 2 cups of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk, then gradually add more milk, a tiny bit at a time, until you achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. For a thinner drizzle, use a little more milk; for a thicker, more opaque frosting, use less. You might find yourself needing to double this frosting recipe if you, like me, prefer a generous layer on each cookie!

Frost each cookie to your liking. You can spread a thick layer with a knife or spatula, or gently drizzle it for a more delicate touch. The creamy sweetness of the frosting beautifully complements the spiced chewiness of the molasses cookies, creating a truly irresistible treat.

Expert Tips for Flawless Molasses Cookies

To ensure your frosted molasses cookies turn out perfectly every time, keep these expert tips in mind:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Always start with softened butter and a large egg at room temperature. This ensures they cream together smoothly with the sugar, creating a uniform dough and a better texture.
• Measure Flour Correctly: For accurate results, spoon your flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly from the bag can compact the flour, leading to dry, dense cookies.
• Don’t Skip the Chill Time: Chilling the dough is vital. It prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, helps the flavors develop, and makes the dough easier to handle. An hour is the minimum, but overnight chilling can even enhance the flavor and texture.
• Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Always line your baking sheets with parchment paper. It prevents sticking, ensures even baking, and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Do Not Overbake: Molasses cookies are best when they are slightly soft in the center and chewy. Overbaking will result in hard, dry cookies. Remove them from the oven when the edges are set, but the centers still look a little soft. They will continue to set as they cool on the hot baking sheet.
• Cool Completely Before Frosting: This cannot be stressed enough! If the cookies are even slightly warm, your frosting will melt and slide right off, creating a sticky mess. Patience is key for beautifully frosted cookies.
• Adjust Frosting Consistency: The perfect frosting consistency is subjective. Add milk gradually, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired thickness for spreading or drizzling. It’s much easier to thin out frosting than to thicken it.
• Use Fresh Spices: Spices lose their potency over time. Using fresh, aromatic ground ginger, nutmeg, and cloves will significantly elevate the flavor of your cookies.

Creative Substitutions and Variations

This classic frosted molasses cookie recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to personalize it to your taste. Here are some ideas to inspire your culinary creativity:

Flavor Enhancements:

• Add More Fall Spices: If you’re a true fan of autumnal flavors, consider adding a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the cookie dough alongside the other spices. This adds another layer of warmth and complexity. A pinch of allspice or cardamom could also be delightful.
• Brown Sugar Deep Dive: For an even deeper, more caramel-like flavor, substitute white granulated sugar with an equal amount of light or dark brown sugar. Brown sugar also contributes to a moister, chewier cookie.
• Citrus Zest: A teaspoon of finely grated orange or lemon zest can add a bright, fragrant counterpoint to the rich molasses and spices. It’s a subtle but delightful addition.
• Dark Chocolate Chips: Fold in a cup of dark chocolate chips or chunks into the dough for a decadent twist. The slight bitterness of dark chocolate pairs beautifully with the sweet, spicy cookies.

Texture and Size Variations:

• Larger Cookies: This recipe yields a generous amount—about 7 dozen smaller cookies! If you prefer fewer, larger cookies, use a medium cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons). Remember to adjust the baking time, likely increasing it by 2-4 minutes, and ensuring they are still slightly soft in the middle.
• Chewy vs. Crispy: For a slightly crispier edge, bake for an extra minute or two. For maximum chewiness, stick to the recommended baking time and ensure they’re just set.

Frosting Adventures:

• Different Frosting Flavors: While a simple vanilla milk frosting is perfect, you could experiment! Try a cream cheese frosting for a tangy counterpoint, a maple-flavored frosting, or even a spiced buttercream by adding a pinch of cinnamon to the frosting.
• Drizzle vs. Spread: As mentioned, you can opt for a light drizzle by making the frosting thinner (adding more milk) or go “all-in” with a thick, spreadable layer. Both are delicious, offering different experiences.
• Unfrosted Delights: Don’t feel obligated to frost them at all! These molasses cookies are wonderfully warm and spiced on their own, offering a delightful chewiness that many prefer unadorned. They’re perfect as a simpler, everyday treat this way.

Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings

Frosted molasses cookies are absolutely divine on their own, but their rich, spiced flavor profile makes them incredibly versatile for pairing and serving during the holiday season and beyond.

Beverage Pairings:

• Classic Hot Beverages: These cookies are a match made in heaven with a warm cup of coffee, a soothing mug of hot cocoa, or a spiced chai latte. The warmth of the drinks complements the spices in the cookies beautifully.
• Cold Milk: For a simpler, comforting pairing, a cold glass of milk cuts through the sweetness and spice, making for a truly nostalgic treat.
• Mulled Cider or Wine: For an adult pairing, consider serving them alongside a glass of warm mulled cider or a spiced red wine. The overlapping spice notes create a wonderfully festive experience.

Holiday & Gifting Ideas:

• Holiday Cookie Platters: These frosted beauties are a must-have addition to any holiday cookie platter. Their festive appearance and irresistible flavor will make them a standout alongside other seasonal favorites.
• Edible Gifts: Package them in pretty boxes or bags tied with ribbon for thoughtful homemade gifts. They’re perfect for teachers, neighbors, friends, and family during festive gatherings.
• Dessert Spreads: Serve them as part of a larger dessert spread at holiday parties. They pair well with fruit tarts, mini cheesecakes, or other holiday treats.
• After-Dinner Treat: Enjoy them as a sweet ending to any meal, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra indulgent touch.

However you choose to enjoy them, these frosted molasses cookies are guaranteed to bring comfort, joy, and a burst of festive flavor to any occasion.

Storage and Freezing Tips

To keep your frosted molasses cookies fresh and delicious for as long as possible, follow these storage and freezing recommendations:

Storing Baked Cookies:

• Room Temperature: Once the frosting has fully set (this may take a few hours depending on thickness), store the frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. To prevent them from sticking together, you can place a piece of parchment paper between layers.
• Refrigeration (Optional): If your kitchen is particularly warm or if you’ve used a perishable frosting (like cream cheese frosting), you might want to refrigerate the cookies. This can extend their freshness slightly, but they are generally best at room temperature for optimal chewiness. Bring them to room temperature before serving.

Freezing Molasses Cookies:

• Freezing Baked & Frosted Cookies: While possible, freezing frosted cookies can sometimes affect the frosting’s texture upon thawing. If you choose to freeze them frosted, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to an airtight freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature.
• Freezing Baked Unfrosted Cookies: This is generally preferred. Once baked and completely cooled, arrange the unfrosted cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Transfer the frozen cookies to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and then frost just before serving.
• Freezing Cookie Dough: You can also freeze portions of the raw cookie dough. Scoop individual portions onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, you can bake them from frozen (adding a few extra minutes to the baking time) or let them thaw in the refrigerator first. Frozen dough can last for up to 3 months.

Absolutely! Preparing the cookie dough in advance is a great time-saver. You can prepare the cookie dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24-48 hours before baking. Chilling the dough actually helps to enhance the flavors and can improve the cookie’s texture.

For these cookies, light or robust (dark) molasses works best. The original family recipe called for light molasses, but most widely available molasses varieties fall into this category. The key is to avoid blackstrap molasses. Blackstrap has a much stronger, more bitter flavor and a thicker consistency, which can overpower the delicate balance of spices in these cookies and result in a less pleasant taste.

If your cookies spread more than desired, there are a few common culprits. Firstly, ensure your butter isn’t too soft or melted when creaming; it should be softened but still hold its shape. Secondly, make sure your oven temperature is accurate – a too-cool oven can cause spreading. Most importantly, don’t skip the chilling step! Chilling solidifies the butter, which helps the cookies hold their shape while baking. You can also try adding a tablespoon or two more flour to the dough if it seems overly sticky.

Yes, if you prefer not to use coffee, you can substitute it with an equal amount of milk or even water. However, the cooled coffee is used to deepen the molasses flavor and add richness without imparting a strong coffee taste. It’s a subtle enhancer, so if you omit it, the cookies will still be delicious but might have a slightly less complex flavor profile.