Growing up we called these cookies “chocolate gingersnaps” but they’re not like a crunchy gingersnap at all, they’re actually a classic soft and chewy molasses cookie full of warm spices and chunks of melty chocolate. These Chocolate Molasses Cookies are the perfect cozy cookie for cold winter days and they pair perfectly with a hot cup of cocoa or coffee (especially with my gingerbread creamer). And the best part? They freeze beautifully, so you can keep a batch in your freezer and just take one or two out at a time to enjoy with your afternoon cup of tea or coffee. :)
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Why You’ll Love these Molasses Cookies
Molasses creates an incredible chewy texture when added to cookies, as well as a slight sweetness with a rich and earthy flavor. If regular cookies tend to be a bit too sweet for you, I bet you’ll be a fan of these chocolate molasses cookies. Not only is the sweetness not super over the top, but the warm spices and semi-sweet chocolate give the cookie a little kick that helps counteract the sweetness. The flavor combination is absolute heaven! They’re almost like a snickerdoodles and gingerbread love child… but with a touch of chocolatey goodness.
What Kind of Molasses to Use
I used Grandma’s Original Molasses for these cookies. While you can use blackstrap molasses, keep in mind that it has a much more intense, slightly bitter flavor and the ingredients in these cookies were not formulated using that type of molasses. Will it still be good? Maybe! At the end of the day, that’s going to be a matter of personal preference.
How to Store Chocolate Molasses Cookies
Once the cookies have cooled completely to room temperature, store them in an air-tight container to keep them from going stale. The cookies will keep at room temperature for about a week, or you can freeze them for about three months. I absolutely love keeping these in the freezer so I can take just one or two out at a time. I like to microwave the frozen cookie for a few seconds to make it extra soft and gooey.
Can I Substitute the Fresh Ginger?
While I do think the fresh ginger is what makes these cookies extra special, you can substitute it for more ground dried ginger if needed. If you don’t have fresh ginger on hand, use two teaspoons of dried ginger instead of the 1 ¼ tsp listed in the recipe below.
Chocolate Molasses Cookies
Servings 24 cookiesIngredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour ($0.23)
- 1.25 tsp ground ginger ($0.12)
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves ($0.02)
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg ($0.02)
- 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder ($0.04)
- 1 tsp baking powder ($0.02)
- 8 Tbsp butter, room temperature ($0.80)
- 1 Tbsp fresh grated ginger ($0.30)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar ($0.24)
- 1/2 cup molasses ($1.18)
- 4 oz. semi-sweet chocolate ($3.49)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar ($0.04)
Instructions
- Add the flour, ground ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cocoa powder, and baking powder to a bowl and stir until well combined.
- To a separate bowl, add the butter, fresh ginger, brown sugar, and molasses. Use a mixer to beat these ingredients together until light and creamy.
- Begin adding the flour mixture into the molasses mixture, ½ cup at a time, beating at low speed, until all of the flour mixture has been incorporated.
- Roughly chop the chocolate, then stir it into the cookie dough. Wrap the cookie dough in plastic, then refrigerate for at least one hour.
- When you're ready to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 325ºF. Place the granulated sugar in a small bowl. Divide the cookie dough into four equal-sized pieces, then divide each of the quarters into six small pieces to make 24 total cookies.
- Roll each piece of cookie dough into a ball, then roll the dough ball in the granulated sugar to coat. Place the shaped cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, 12 per baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies for about 12 minutes in the 325ºF oven, or until they're slightly cracked on top. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
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Equipment
- Measuring Cups Spoons
- Enamelware Sheet Pan
- Parchment Paper
Nutrition
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How to Make Chocolate Molasses Cookies – Step By Step Photos
Add 1.5 cups all-purpose flour, 1.25 tsp ground ginger, ¼ tsp ground cloves, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, 1 Tbsp cocoa powder, and 1 tsp baking powder in a bowl and stir until well combined.
Add 8 Tbsp room temperature butter, 1 Tbsp fresh grated ginger, ½ cup brown sugar, and ½ cup molasses to a separate bowl.
Use a mixer to beat the wet ingredients together until they are light and creamy.
Begin mixing in the flour mixture at low speed, adding about ½ cup at a time, until all of it is incorporated.
Roughly chop the semi-sweet chocolate. You definitely want it to be fairly chunky.
Stir the chopped chocolate into the cookie dough.
Wrap the cookie dough in plastic, then refrigerate for about an hour to help firm it up. You can refrigerate overnight if needed.
When you’re ready to make the cookies, preheat the oven to 325ºF. Place ¼ granulated sugar in a small bowl. Divide the cookie dough into four equal-sized pieces, then divide each quarter into six small pieces (24 total pieces). Roll each piece into a ball, then roll the ball in the granulated sugar to coat.
Place twelve of the shaped cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake the cookies in the preheated 325ºF oven for about 12 minutes, or until the cookies are slightly cracked on top. Repeat with the second 12 cookies.
Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool for a few minutes, or serve warm. Allow the cookies to cool completely to room temperature before storing in an air-tight container.
I just made this cookies with molasses the first time. Before, I made them with sugar beet syrup which is available where I live. This time, I bought expensive molasses at a healthy food store. I like both versions, thank you for this great recipe!
Is the butter salted, or unsalted in the recipe? Thx.
Salted! If you want to use unsalted you can just add a tiny pinch of salt.
These cookies are all right but I feel like the chocolate doesn’t really belong. I’d be curious to try the recipe again with the chopped chocolate omitted (but keeping the cocoa powder).
These cookies are absolutely delicious! The only problem was that mine didn’t spread like the video & I’m not sure why. They just stayed as little balls. I still enjoyed them!
These taste amazing!! I used Trader Joe’s fresh frozen crushed ginger (thawed) and Trader Joe’s semi-sweet chocolate chunks to cut down on prep time (didn’t have to peel/mince fresh garlic or chop chocolate into chunks). So easy!