Molasses Cookies

Total Time

Prep: 25 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch

Makes

about 3 dozen

Updated: Sep. 24, 2022
Making these soft, chewy cookies with a rich flavor has been a family tradition since my children were small. At Christmastime, I shape the dough into gingerbread men with tasty raisin eyes and buttons. —Sue Bartlett, Berlin, Wisconsin

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup molasses
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • FROSTING:
  • 4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons boiling water
  • M&M's minis and red shoestring licorice

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in molasses and water. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and ginger; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or until easy to handle.
  2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 5-in. gingerbread man cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  3. Bake at 375° for 6-8 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.
  4. For frosting, in a large bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, ginger, salt, cinnamon and enough water to achieve spreading consistency. Frost and decorate cookies with candies as desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 frosted cookie (calculated without candies): 228 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 310mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.