Virginia’s Molasses Cookies – A 100-Year-Old Classic Recipe
Virginia’s Molasses Cookies are a classic, 100-year-old recipe featuring a rich blend of molasses and warming spices. These soft yet chewy cookies combine the deep flavor of molasses with cinnamon, cloves, and ginger for a nostalgic treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup shortening (1 stick margarine and 1/2 stick butter recommended)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup heaping molasses
- 1 large egg
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cream the fat and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add molasses: Blend the molasses thoroughly into the creamed mixture, ensuring the sweetness and rich flavor are evenly distributed.
- Incorporate the egg: Add the large egg and beat the mixture until smooth and well combined for proper structure.
- Sift dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, ground cloves, ground ginger, and cinnamon to ensure even spice distribution and prevent lumps.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a consistent dough forms.
- Shape cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls to ensure even baking and uniform size.
- Coat in sugar: Roll each dough ball in sugar, which adds a sweet, crunchy exterior.
- Flatten and arrange: Slightly flatten each ball with the bottom of a sugar-dipped juice glass to create a disk shape. Place the cookies 2 inches apart on a well-greased cookie sheet to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, watching the first batch closely as oven temperatures can vary. Remove cookies promptly once done to avoid overbaking.
- Cool: Transfer baked cookies immediately to a towel or wire rack to cool completely, preserving their texture.
Notes
- Use a juice glass dipped in sugar to prevent sticking when flattening the cookies.
- Watch the first batch carefully during baking to prevent burning, especially if your oven tends to run hot.
- You can substitute shortening with all butter for a richer taste but expect slight texture changes.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to one week.
- These cookies freeze well for longer storage.
Keywords: molasses cookies, vintage cookie recipe, molasses dessert, classic cookies, spiced cookies, easy bake cookies
