Molasses Crisp

Prep: 120 min Cook: 10 min Serves: 144 Cuisine: American

Molasses Crisps are richly flavored cookies with warm spices, a chewy texture, and golden-brown edges, perfect for holiday gatherings or everyday treats with a glass of milk.

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups lightly salted butter or margarine
  • 4 cups flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup dark molasses
  • 2 large eggs

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan; remove from heat and let cool.
  2. Stir the flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground ginger together.
  3. Add 2 cups of sugar, the dark molasses, and eggs to the cooled melted butter, then beat well.
  4. Cover the dough and chill for 2 hours or longer.
  5. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  6. Roll the chilled dough into small balls, using about 1 1/2 teaspoons of dough for each.
  7. Roll each ball in the remaining 1/2 cup sugar.
  8. Place the balls 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  9. Bake for about 10 minutes until cookies are a dark, golden brown.
  10. Remove from the oven and cool for about 2 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
  11. For chewier cookies, bake only 5 to 6 minutes.

Tips & Substitutions

For a richer flavor, consider using unsalted butter instead of margarine. You can also replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier twist. If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the ground ginger to 1 1/2 teaspoons. Make sure to chill the dough thoroughly; this helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.

Serving Suggestions

These Molasses Crisps are perfect for holiday gatherings or as a cozy afternoon snack. Serve them with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of tea. They also pair beautifully with Easy And Quick Apples for a delightful dessert combination. For an added treat, consider drizzling them with a simple icing made from powdered sugar and milk.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover Molasses Crisps in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. To reheat, simply warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes until soft.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Molasses Crisp contains roughly 762 calories, with 9g protein, 150g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (301% of the Daily Value), calcium (119% of the Daily Value), and iron (76% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).

762 kcal 38% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 8.6g 17% DV
Total Fat 32.7g 42% DV
Carbs 149.9g 55% DV
Fiber 84.3g 100% DV
Sugar 3.3g 7% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 3000mg 100% DV
Potassium 928.1mg 20% DV
Cholesterol 102.9mg 34% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 25.8mcg 3% DV
Vitamin C 38.4mg 43% DV
Calcium 1546.8mg 100% DV
Iron 13.6mg 76% DV
Diet fit High-fiber
Contains Milk Egg Wheat/Gluten

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use light molasses instead of dark molasses?

Yes, you can use light molasses if you prefer a milder flavor, but keep in mind that dark molasses adds a richer taste and deeper color to the cookies. The texture will remain similar, so it’s a good substitute if you’re looking for a lighter option.

What can I substitute for eggs in this recipe?

If you're looking for an egg substitute, you can use a flaxseed meal or chia seed mixture. Combine 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal or chia seeds with 2.5 tablespoons of water and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it thickens, which works well in this recipe.

How can I make these cookies chewier?

To achieve chewier cookies, slightly underbake them. Instead of the full 10 minutes, check for doneness at around 5 to 6 minutes. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool, giving you that perfect chewy texture.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

American recipes → Vegetarian recipes → Dairy recipes → All recipes →