Frosted Molasses Cookies

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + standing

Makes

8 dozen

Updated: Jul. 27, 2023
If my family knows I've baked these cookies, they're sure to gobble them up in a hurry.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 large egg yolks, room temperature
  • 1 cup molasses
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • FROSTING:
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 large egg whites
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in the egg yolks, molasses and water. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle.
  2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. round cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until edges are firm. Remove to wire racks to cool.
  3. For frosting, combine the sugar, egg whites and water in a small heavy saucepan over low heat. With a hand mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. Continue beating on low over low heat until frosting reaches 160°, about 8-10 minutes. Pour into the bowl of a heavy-duty stand mixer; add confectioners' sugar. Beat on high until frosting forms stiff peaks, about 7 minutes. Frost cookies. Let stand until dry.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 78 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 63mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.