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Giant Molasses Cookies

Name: Giant Molasses Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups butter, softened; 2 cups sugar; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1/2 cup molasses; 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 4 teaspoons ground ginger; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup chopped pecans; 3/4 cup coarse sugar

108 reviews

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. Bake: 15 min./batch

Makes

2 dozen

Updated: Jan. 31, 2023

My family always requests these soft molasses cookies. These chewy cookies are also great for shipping as holiday gifts or to troops overseas. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York

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Ingredients

1-1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup molasses
4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup coarse sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes.. Beat in eggs and molasses. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in pecans.
Shape into 2-in. balls and roll in coarse sugar. Place 2-1/2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until tops are cracked, 13-15 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Molasses Cookies Tips

What kind of molasses should you use to make molasses cookies?

There are varying intensities of molasses from light molasses to blackstrap molasses. Light molasses is lightest in color, sweetest, and mildest in flavor, and also helps to make cookies softer. However, dark molasses is a great option too, since it's what gives gingerbread cookies their distinct color and flavor. Blackstrap molasses can be quite intense in flavor, but can work too. It’s really a personal preference. Try more of our molasses recipes to find out your favorite kind.

Should molasses cookies be crackly on top?

What makes a molasses cookie so identifiable is the small little cracks on top. The cookies will puff up as they bake, and then gently sink back down. This is what creates those unique crinkles that we love.

How should you store molasses cookies?

Place the molasses cookies in an airtight container and store at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months as well. Learn more about how to store cookies to keep them fresh.

—Ellie Crowley, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 310 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 219mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.