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Everyday Fare With Extraordinary Flair

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Home » Type » Desserts » Cookies » Molasses Crinkles Cookies (Chewy Molasses Cookies)

Molasses Crinkles Cookies (Chewy Molasses Cookies)

September 23, 2011 by Faith 30 Comments

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Richly spiced with ginger, cinnamon, and cloves these chewy Molasses Crinkles Cookies are perfect for fall baking. And they’re a lovely addition to a holiday cookie platter!

Molasses Crinkles 1

I once slept for 23 hours straight. It was crazy…I woke up and had lost almost a whole day of my life! A solid 6 hours is typically all my body needs to feel refreshed, but on that occasion there were special circumstances.

I was in undergrad school at the time and I had just come home for my first weekend. Apparently it had been a pretty rough semester! Or maybe my body was fighting something (hey, you never know).

But I think it was fall that made me do it, lol.

Molasses Crinkles 2

Fall, with its homey smells of burning leaves, apples, and cinnamon (and if you’re lucky, baking Molasses Cookies), and its crisp, cool weather is perfect for sleeping. And I’m not the only one who thinks so…

Rip Van Winkle Painting

Scene on the Hudson (Rip Van Winkle) by James Hamilton, 1845; Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2nd Floor, South Wing.

Remember the story Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving? Rip, who lived in New York’s Catskill Mountains, ventured up the mountains seeking a little solitude one autumn day. He then encountered a strange, motley crew (who he later learns were the ghosts of Henry Hudson’s crew), drinks a bit of their liquor, and falls asleep for 20 years. Who’s to say whether it was the liquor or the fact autumn was in the air?

Anyway, it’s the first day of fall (in the northern hemisphere) and I wanted to share one of my favorite fall treats with you: Molasses Crinkle Cookies! Bake them up and you’ll really feel like autumn is in the air.

Molasses Crinkles Cookies Recipe with Description

In This Article

  • Are Molasses Cookies the Same as Gingersnaps?
  • Molasses Crinkle Cookies Recipe
  • Why Use Vegetable Shortening Instead of Butter in Cookies
  • More Spiced Cookie Recipes to Try:
  • Molasses Crinkles Cookies (Chewy Molasses Cookies)

Are Molasses Cookies the Same as Gingersnaps?

Molasses Cookies (also called Molasses Crinkle Cookies) are not the same as Gingersnaps! Gingersnaps are typically crisp and small, while Molasses Cookies are usually chewy and large.

Molasses Crinkle Cookies Recipe

With their signature crinkly appearance, chewy texture, warm aromatic spices, and complex sweet molasses flavor, these cookies are completely irresistible.

This cookie dough is easy to make and similar to other drop cookie doughs (such as chocolate chip cookie dough). After mixing the dough, I like to let it chill briefly before rolling into balls, slightly flattening the cookie dough balls with a sugared glass, and baking.

Molasses Cookies on White Wooden Table with Brown Sugar in Background

Why Use Vegetable Shortening Instead of Butter in Cookies

When baking cookies, sometimes you’ll see a recipe that calls for a combination of butter and vegetable shortening. Butter is there for flavor and vegetable shortening is there for texture.

Because butter melts at a lower temperature than shortening, it yields a crisper cookie. Alternatively, vegetable shortening yields a chewy cookie.

Pro Tip: Using vegetable shortening helps give these Molasses Crinkles Cookies their soft, chewy texture.

More Spiced Cookie Recipes to Try:

  • Chewy Cinnamon Pecan Brown Butter Oatmeal Cookies
  • Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodle Cookies
  • Apple Cinnamon Cookies
  • Paleo Cinnamon Raisin Noatmeal Cookies
  • Chai-Spiced Vanilla Shortbread Cookies

Molasses Crinkles 3

Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below because I love hearing from you! You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media. To stay up-to-date FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Xoxo, Faith

Molasses Cookies on White Wooden Table with Brown Sugar in Background

Molasses Crinkles Cookies (Chewy Molasses Cookies)

By: Faith Gorsky
Richly spiced with ginger, cinnamon, and cloves these chewy Molasses Crinkles Cookies are perfect for fall baking. And they’re a lovely addition to a holiday cookie platter!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 cookies
Calories 136 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3/4 cup vegetable shortening at room temperature
  • 1 cup brown sugar lightly packed
  • 2 tablespoons blackstrap molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Butter
  • Sugar

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, cream together the shortening, brown sugar, molasses, egg, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough until chilled (I stick it in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes).
  • Preheat oven to 375F and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat liners. Scoop the dough out with a 1 1/2 tablespoon measure and roll it into balls. Arrange on the prepared baking sheets about 3 inches apart (they will spread out quite a bit as they cook; I do 6 cookies per half sheet pan).
  • Put a little bit of sugar in a shallow bowl. Grease the bottom of a glass with butter and dip it in the sugar. Flatten each ball of dough slightly, re-greasing and sugaring as necessary.
  • Bake until they’re set along the edges, about 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the trays once halfway through (be sure not to over-bake!). Cool for a couple minutes on the tray, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooking. Bake the remaining dough the same way.

Faith's Tips

  • Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker’s recipe for Molasses Crinkles.
  • Vegetable shortening helps give these cookies their soft, chewy texture, so don’t be tempted to replace it with butter here.
  • Store these cookies covered at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Molasses Crinkles Cookies (Chewy Molasses Cookies)
Amount Per Serving (1 cookie)
Calories 136 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 7mg2%
Sodium 76mg3%
Potassium 80mg2%
Carbohydrates 18g6%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 10IU0%
Calcium 23mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword Chewy Molasses Cookies, Molasses Crinkles Cookies
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

Molasses Crinkle Cookies Recipe (Chewy Molasses Cookies Recipe) Pin

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links to products I believe in, which means that even though it doesn’t cost you anything extra, I will receive a small amount of money from the sale of these items, which helps me keep this site alive – thank you for helping to support An Edible Mosaic!

Filed Under: Cookies Tagged: Autumn, Baking, Chewy Molasses Cookies, Christmas Cookies, Cookies, Fall, Holiday Cookies, Molasses, Molasses Crinkles, Molasses Crinkles Cookies, Recipes, Rip Van Winkle, Warm Spices

Comments

  1. grace says

    September 27, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    what a perfectly flat and flavorful cookie! i love the crinkle effect, and even though molasses isn’t my favorite, i never turn down a cookie. :)

    Reply
  2. [email protected] says

    September 27, 2011 at 3:58 am

    These look so good. What i like about them is that they use vegetable shortening, which i know nothing about. I know that it makes great textured cookies and its great to have a recipe , thanks Faith

    Reply
  3. [email protected] says

    September 26, 2011 at 10:37 pm

    Those are very inspiring fall cookies. Alas I think fall is puting me in a hermit mood lol

    Reply
  4. Magic of Spice says

    September 26, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    23 hr…wow! These cookies do make me think of fall :)

    Reply
  5. FOODESSA says

    September 26, 2011 at 9:50 am

    I sincerely can’t say what I would appreciate more…Fall, my favourite season or lots more sleep…which I badly need to catch up on.
    Those cookies have all the perfect ingredients…reminds me how long I haven’t used my ‘black strap’ molasse to make these sweets.

    Happy belated 1st day of Fall.
    Btw, Faith…loved the story that went with the cookie ;o)

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

    Reply
  6. [email protected] says

    September 25, 2011 at 6:03 pm

    These cookies look wonderful – and so perfect for fall. I can;t believe it’s fall already, but I just picked up some apple cider at the orchard and these cookies would be lovely with a mug of warm cider!

    Reply
  7. Monet says

    September 25, 2011 at 9:29 am

    Smile. These are perfect for fall. I’d love to bake a batch and then curl up for a 20 hour nap! Thank you for sharing another delicious recipe, my friend. I hope you are having a bountiful Sunday–good food, good company. Much love from Austin and many blessings!

    Reply
  8. LeQuan says

    September 25, 2011 at 2:07 am

    Ugh..I’m not looking forward to fall because it means winter is not far behind. Although, the faster we get through fall, the faster we can get through winter. Your molasses crinkles look lovely. I’d have to agree, great fall cookie. And 23 hours? Wow, that’s A LOT of sleep. I think 6 hours is the perfect amount for me.

    Reply
  9. Jessica says

    September 24, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    Happy fall!! Beautiful painting too. Ah I just love these cookies. So perfect for the cloudy weather recently.

    It’s so funny you mentioned the 23 hour sleep. I once did it too, in high school, for about 21 hours. Haha so I definitely understand!

    Reply
  10. Anna says

    September 24, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    My, you make these look tasty! And I don’t even like this type of cookie. Magic!

    Reply
  11. Lisa says

    September 24, 2011 at 5:21 pm

    These look so perfect! This is my favorite kind of cookie—but I never make them. I know for sure mine wouldn’t look this perfect :)

    Reply
  12. Nicole, RD says

    September 24, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    23 hours!??! Oh my gosh! I hope someone checked in on you to be sure you were still breathing!

    These look amazing, Faith. I love molasses…so rich and perfect for fall!

    Reply
  13. patty says

    September 24, 2011 at 2:01 pm

    I love that you’ve shared these molasses crinkle cookies for a little inspiration for our fall baking, although I have to admit I baked a few cookies over our fairly cool summer. But now the serious cookie baking can begin and I can’t think of a better way to kick off the fall into the holidays baking season;-)

    Reply
  14. Angie's Recipes says

    September 24, 2011 at 1:49 pm

    A perfect autumn afternoon snack ;-)

    Reply
  15. Susan says

    September 24, 2011 at 10:58 am

    I’m glad to see I’m not the only one inspired to make cookies in this time of changing season :) I love the spices in this! 23 hours is a lot of sleep! I used to be able to easily sleep 12 hours during my college days.

    Reply
  16. Michele | Cooking At Home says

    September 24, 2011 at 6:05 am

    The Hudson River Valley is a favorite destination in the fall. These cookies would be perfect to pack for the road.

    Reply
  17. Joanne says

    September 24, 2011 at 5:48 am

    Girl, if you can teach me how to sleep more than SIX hours…I’d love you (even more) forever. I’m impressed.

    Also impressed with these cookies. Super comfort food!

    Reply
  18. Kalyani says

    September 24, 2011 at 1:43 am

    this looks yum !! yes, the season ‘fall’ can make u fall asleep ;)

    Cheers
    Kalyani
    Join me in a 100-day Global Food Festival here

    Reply
  19. Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says

    September 24, 2011 at 12:43 am

    Molasses cookies are my “go to” cookie as soon as the weather gets cooler. These look wonderfully chewy and delicious. :)

    Reply
  20. Veronica Miller says

    September 23, 2011 at 11:11 pm

    That is cuh-razy! I imagine you were under a lot of stress from school but fall IS very relaxing. It’s my favorite season. These cookies sound really good and I think I might make them for my Dad, who loves gingerbread cookies so he’d like these too b/c I think they’re about the same thing.

    Reply
  21. BeadedTail says

    September 23, 2011 at 6:48 pm

    Sometimes I feel like I’d love to sleep that long but don’t think I ever could. It might be nice to try though! Those cookies look so good and perfect for fall! I love molasses cookies!

    Reply
  22. Erica says

    September 23, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    23 hours? Thats nuts! I am a terrible sleeper. Its hard for me ever to get more than 8….now that I have the babe…I’m rocking about 5 a night. These cookies actually scream Christmas to me :) I think baking cookies always makes me think of christmas cookie exchanges. Delicious!

    Reply
  23. Diane says

    September 23, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    Wow I have managed on the odd occasion to sleep over 12 hours and I though I was doing well!! This recipe sounds very yummy. Diane

    Reply
  24. Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says

    September 23, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    Wow that’s so long to sleep! Haha I think my max is 14 or 16 hours. These cookies look so good Faith. I love molasses.

    Reply
  25. Barbara says

    September 23, 2011 at 11:24 am

    Bet they’re chewy inside too, aren’t they? The old recipes are the best and this one looks so familiar I can taste the texture and flavor in my mind.

    Reply
  26. aipi says

    September 23, 2011 at 10:32 am

    This will make for a great healthy snack to munch on anytime :)
    USMasala

    Reply
  27. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook says

    September 23, 2011 at 9:17 am

    College will do that to you, LOL! Those cookies look amazing, your photo’s are fantastic. I’m always hungry when after I see your posts :)

    Reply
  28. deana says

    September 23, 2011 at 8:41 am

    I agree… a perfect cookie for fall. Don’t you love those old recipes? Nice to have a jar of these on the kitchen counter.

    Reply
  29. Rosa says

    September 23, 2011 at 7:45 am

    Beautiful and so perfect! What a wonderful treat.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  30. Blond Duck says

    September 23, 2011 at 6:53 am

    Obviously, you slept so long to make up these delicious cookies! It’s hard work! :)

    Reply

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Hello and welcome to An Edible Mosaic! This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. Here you’ll find a focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home.

 

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An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

meet faith

I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

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affiliate disclosure

An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

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