These Soft & Chewy Molasses Cookies with a molasses white chocolate frosting taste like Christmas and will be a perfect addition to your dessert table!
This post and recipe was created for ChristmasCookiesWeek! I was sent samples by some of the sponsor companies but as always opinions are 100% my own.
I have a fondness for molasses going back to my early childhood. The neighbors across the street had a granddaughter that would come to stay with them in the summers and she was my age so we would play together and swim in their pool. On occasion they would get a bucket of fried chicken, and while I’ve always eaten my nuggets and such dipped in honey, they dipped their fried chicken in molasses. Now, I’m aware that sounds odd, and molasses can be an acquired taste, but it was delicious. I haven’t had that combo in many, many years (probably since childhood), but it’s a fond memory I have of the Travis family.
Molasses is also a great fall baking ingredient, and I wanted to make a soft molasses cookie, since I’m not particularly a fan of crunchy cookies. Besides biscotti, of course. These Soft & Chewy Molasses Cookies are delectable on their own, but I decided to add a molasses white chocolate frosting to them for a little more sweetness.
These cookies just scream holidays, to me. So many winter spice flavors wrapped up in a soft and chewy cookie, topped with a deliciously creamy frosting. And sprinkles. Because, sprinkles. And I used some pecan meal in the dough for some added texture and it was amazing!!
What is pecan meal?
Pecan meal is a natural, healthy alternative to using regular flour, sometimes referred to as pecan flour, and it can be used in place of or as a partial substitute for flour in many recipes, be it baking or cooking (it’s great for breading fish or chicken!)
What does it take to make Soft & Chewy Molasses Cookies?
All-purpose flour
Pecan meal
Baking soda
Ground ginger
Ground cinnamon
Nutmeg
Salt
Butter
Brown sugar
Granulated sugar
Dark (unsulphured) molasses
Egg
Vanilla extract
White chocolate chips
Shortening
How to make Soft & Chewy Molasses Cookies:
Full printable recipe below!
Step 1
Whisk the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt together in a medium bowl until combined. Set aside.
Step 2
In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and both sugars together on high speed until creamy and combined, about 2 minutes.
Step 3
Add the molasses and mix until combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined, about 1 minute, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
Step 4
With the mixer on low speed, slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined. The cookie dough will be slightly sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.
Step 5
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray and set aside.
Step 6
Remove cookie dough from the refrigerator. Use a medium cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop dough and roll into balls. Place 1/3 cup sugar in a shallow dish, and roll each ball in the sugar to coat. Place balls on prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart and bake for 11-12 minutes or until edges appear set and tops appear slightly cracked. Repeat in additional batches if needed.
Step 7
Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 8
Meanwhile, place the white chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat for 30 seconds. Stir, and heat in 15 second intervals until mostly melted. Stir until smooth, then add the molasses and stir until well combined.
Step 9
Place a sheet of wax paper on a cookie sheet or cutting board. Take the cooled cookies and either dip half into the frosting and place on wax paper, or use a spoon to drizzle frosting on the top, or scoop a spoonful of frosting onto the cookies and spread around. Top with sprinkles of choice and allow frosting to set (it will harden so it won’t be messy!)
Step 10
Once set, they are ready to serve, or you can store in an airtight containter until ready to serve, up to one week.
You can put the frosting on however you like…dip it, drizzle it, or frost the tops completely. And of course, add some cute sprinkles!
Can you freeze Soft & Chewy Molasses Cookies?
You absolutely can! But freeze them without the chocolate glaze on them. You can place the unfrosted, baked cookies in a resealable plastic bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temp, then frost as directed. If you want to thaw the unbaked cookie dough, flash freeze on baking sheets for about 15 minutes, then place in a resealable plastic bag for up to 3 months. When you are ready to bake, let the dough balls sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, pre-heat the oven, then roll in granulated sugar and bake as directed.
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Sponsor products used in this recipe:
Adam’s Extract vanilla extract
Millican Pecan pecan meal
Sweets & Treats red crispy sprinkles & candy cane sprinkles
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup pecan meal
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 6 Tbsp butter softened
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp dark unsulphured molasses
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar for rolling
For the molasses white chocolate frosting
- 6 oz white chocolate chips or bar
- 1/2 Tbsp shortening
- 1 tsp molasses
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt together in a medium bowl until combined. Set aside.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and both sugars together on high speed until creamy and combined, about 2 minutes. Add the molasses and mix until combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined, about 1 minute, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
- With the mixer on low speed, slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined. The cookie dough will be slightly sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray and set aside.
- Remove cookie dough from the refrigerator. Use a medium cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop dough and roll into balls. Place 1/3 cup sugar in a shallow dish, and roll each ball in the sugar to coat. Place balls on prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart and bake for 11-12 minutes or until edges appear set and tops appear slightly cracked. Repeat in additional batches if needed.
- Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, place the white chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat for 30 seconds. Stir, and heat in 15 second intervals until mostly melted. Stir until smooth, then add the molasses and stir until well combined.
- Place a sheet of wax paper on a cookie sheet or cutting board. Take the cooled cookies and either dip half into the frosting and place on wax paper, or use a spoon to drizzle frosting on the top, or scoop a spoonful of frosting onto the cookies and spread around. Top with sprinkles of choice and allow frosting to set (it will harden so it won’t be messy!)
- Once set, they are ready to serve, or you can store in an airtight containter until ready to serve, up to one week.
Nutrition
Welcome to #ChristmasCookies week where more than 25 bloggers are sharing cookie recipes perfect for your holiday celebrations. Hosted by Ellen from Family Around the Table, Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures and Heather from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks, we invite you to not only check out the recipes but enter the amazing giveaway.
Friday Christmas Cookie Recipes
Chocolate Bonbon Cookies by That Recipe
Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Cookies by West Via Midwest
Chocolate Espresso Icebox Cookies by Leftovers Then Breakfast
Chocolate-Dipped Orange Logs by Eat Move Make
Christmas Magic Bars by Devour Dinner
Christmas Monster Cookies by Cheese Curd In Paradise
Cranberry Pecan Oatmeal Cookies by Blogghetti
Frosted Eggnog Cookie Bars by Family Around the Table
Grinch Heart Thumbprint Cookies by The Spiffy Cookie
Holiday Everything Cookies by Frugal & Fit
Honey Walnut Cookies by Books n’ Cooks
Kahlua Mudslide Cookies by Daily Dish Recipes
Lavender Snickerdoodles by Palatable Pastime
Linzer Cookies by Lemon Blossoms
Little Monster Cookie Bites by Jersey Girl Cooks
Maple Sugar Cookies by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Mocha Chocolate Chunk Cookies by Making Miracles
Mocha Sandies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Pecan Pie Cookies by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Peppermint Bark Surprise Cookies by Our Sutton Place
Pinwheel Cookies by Simply Inspired Meals
Poppy Seed Shortbread by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Sadie’s Double Pecan Butter Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
Small Batch Pecan Fingers by Art of Natural Living
Soft & Chewy Molasses Cookies by Sweet Beginnings
Spiced Holiday Cutouts by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
Toasted Pecan Snowball Cookie Recipe by Swirls of Flavor
White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Molasses Cookies by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Don’t miss one delicious cookie recipe! Follow along on Pinterest.
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Originally founded as the West Texas Pecan Nursery in the late 1800’s, Millican Pecan is now in 5th generation ownership. Located in San Saba, TX, the family continues the tradition of pecan farming while also branching the business into the online world. The family also enjoys educating people about pecans. One winner will receive The Tower of Treats Gift Tins. The tower includes 3 decorative gift tins stacked on top of each other. The bottom tin includes our 2 lb. Chocolate Pecan Sampler, the middle tin is our Flavored Pecan Sampler and the top tin is an 8 oz. tin of Milk Chocolate Caramillicans (similar to Turtles). An $80 value.
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In January 2013, Adams, one of the oldest continuously operated companies in Texas and one of oldest spice and extract companies in the United States, celebrated its 125th birthday and was awarded the Texas Treasure Business Award, an award sponsored by State Bill 920 that recognizes the accomplishments of Texas businesses that have provided employment opportunities and support to the state’s economy for at least 50 years and pays tribute to the state’s well-established businesses and their exceptional historical contributions toward the state’s economic growth and prosperity.
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Prize 3: A Set of Baking Pans from Anolon
Established in the 1950’s, Meyer Manufacturing started by making and selling flashlights. In 1971 they started their journey into selling cookware. By 1986 they released the world’s first hard-anodized nonstick cookware which revolutionized the world of home cooking. Their nonstick surface didn’t flake or scratch easily.
Today they sell bakeware with nonstick interior and exterior made with a special sapphire-reinforced blend that is triple coated. NOTE: Color may vary from the photo above.
Prize 4: An Assorted Baking Box from Sweets & Treats
Make Sweets & Treats your one-stop shop for all your holiday sprinkle needs. In addition to fun, festive and colorful sprinkles, Sweets & Treats offers cupcake liners, edible glitters, sugars, and more.
Founded in 2010 by Shannon Harvey out of an industry need for bold, bright cupcake liners and baking supplies that are the life of the party! Based in Louisiana, Sweets & Treats is a designer cupcake liner manufacturer and party supply company that creates exclusive greaseproof cupcake liners, sprinkles, sprinkle mixes, paper straws, and other baking supplies.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFour (4) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. Bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Winners have 24 hours to respond once notified by email, or they forfeit the prize and an alternate winner will be chosen. The #ChristmasCookies bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members living in the household cannot enter or win the giveaway. Entries will be verified. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Giveaway open to US Residents only who are 18 years of age or older to enter giveaway. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #ChristmasCookies posts or entry.
I love a molasses-flavored cookie! Always so tasty!