If you love that ginger flavor in cookies, be sure to try try my Gingerbreadman Cookies, Gingersnap Cookies, or Pumpkin Snickerdoodles!
Why I love these cookies:
Plain or Frosted: This ginger cookies recipe is delicious served with ir without frosting. and both deserve 5 stars! Thick and Chewy: Unlike Gingersnaps, which have their purpose but are thin and crisp, these ginger molasses cookies are thick, chewy and absolutely delicious. Make Ahead & Freezer Friendly: Easy to make ahead, and freezes great! I love to have some on hand to share with friends! Look for my tips below!
How to Make Ginger Molasses Cookies:
Stir Dry Ingredients: Mix flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger in a large bowl. Combine: In a separate bowl, mix butter and sugar. Add molasses and eggs and stir. Combine wet mixture into the dry mixture and chill the dough for about 30 minutes. Form balls and roll in sugar: Just like snickerdoodles these cookies are rolled in granulated sugar before baking. Bake soft molasses cookies on a cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes. It’s very important to not over bake the cookies or they will be hard and dry instead of soft and chewy. To check for doneness, open oven and gently push the side of a cookie with your finger or utensil. You are looking for the edges to stay firm and the middle to look soft but not to sink inwards. We love to top these old fashioned chewy molasses cookies with a thin layer of cream cheese frosting with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon mixed in–it takes them over the top! But they’re fantastic plain, as well!
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: This ginger cookie dough can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for a few hours. Store baked cookies in an airtight bag or container at room temperature for 3-4 days. To Freeze the Cookie Dough: Form dough balls and roll them in sugar (through step 6). Place cookie dough balls in a freezer safe bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen for 1 to 2 minutes longer than recipe states. To Freeze the Baked Cookies: Allow cookies to cool completely, then place in a freezer safe container or bag and freeze for 2-3 months.
More Holiday Treats:
Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake Rocky Road Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods Peppermint Brownies Brownie Truffles Christmas Cornflake Wreaths Homemade Caramels
Original recipe inspired by Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. I like to make a smaller batch of 2 dozen, and love to add cream cheese frosting.
I originally shared this recipe December 2015. Updated December 2019, November 2021, and October 2023. This post contains affiliate links.
