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Recipes » My Grandma’s Molasses Cookies

My Grandma’s Molasses Cookies

By Kate Morgan Jackson

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This recipe for my grandma’s molasses cookies makes the perfect classic, spicy cookie. As she used to say, take one cookie for each hand!

molasses cookies


This recipe for molasses cookies is one of my favorite cookie recipes ever, for a few different reasons.

First of all, they are just great cookies, rich with the flavors of molasses and ginger and cinnamon and sugar.

Second, they are a snap to make, and they turn out perfectly every time.

But most importantly, I make them from a recipe card handwritten by my grandmother, one of the most amazing people I have ever known.  Warm, wonderful and just the right amount of spicy, they are cookie perfection.  Let’s make them!

My grandmother didn’t do a lot of cooking, but what she made, she made well. I have a crystal-clear memory of being sent outside to play in the mornings on her beautiful Vermont farm with two slices of hot buttered cinnamon toast – one for each hand — and I have never been able to replicate the particular taste of that toast.

She made fantastic pancakes (with Vermont maple syrup of course), and always said she would make as many as we could eat, even if it was HUNDREDS, which my brother and I thought was one of the best things we had ever heard of.

She also made these perfect molasses cookies, and luckily for me at some point she wrote out the recipe for me, in her handwriting that I remember so well right to this day, and every once in a while something reminds me of them and I just have to have them.

For example, every time I am in Sissy’s Kitchen, which is fittingly in my grandmother’s Vermont town of Middletown Springs, I am reminded.  

Sissy has a jar of something labeled “Gingersnaps.” 25 cents each. The first time I saw this jar I bought — well, never mind how many.


Sissy's Cookies

There they are in that jar on the left. And while Sissy may think they are gingersnaps, they tasted very much like my grandma’s molasses cookies, and to be eating them right in the middle of Middletown Springs…well, let’s just say it took me back a little.

And so here I am back in New Jersey, and after that first time with Sissy’s gingersnaps one of the first things I wanted to do was find that recipe and make those molasses cookies. 

Cookies Cooling
And they turned out just the way they always do – sweet and just a little bit spicy.  Just like my grandma! Print

My Grandma’s Molasses Cookies


  • Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 16 minutes
  • Total Time: 36 minutes
  • Yield: about 36 cookies 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

This recipe for my grandma’s molasses cookies makes the perfect classic, spicy cookie. As she used to say, take one cookie for each hand!


Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup melted butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon each of ground cloves, ginger and salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Extra sugar for rolling

Instructions

  1. Line cookie sheets with parchment or silicone baking sheets.
  2. Combine butter, sugar, molasses and egg in large mixing bowl
  3. Combine flour, baking soda and spices in medium bowl
  4. Add flour mixture to butter mixture and stir until well combined
  5. Put in refrigerator until dough has hardened at least one hour.
  6. When you are ready to bake, preheat oven to 350.
  7. Scoop out dough (I find an ice cream scoop works well for this) and roll into 1 inch balls
  8. Roll balls in sugar and place on cookie sheet, well-spaced apart
  9. Press down slightly on cookie dough with the bottom of a glass or jar
  10. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool for about five minutes and then continue cooling on rack.
1 cookie907.3 g105.9 mg4 g2.4 g0 g12.7 g0.2 g0.9 g15.3 mg

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Kate Morgan Jackson

Hi there!  I’m Kate, and I’m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover.  I started Framed Cooks in 2009, and my mission is to create and share family-friendly recipes that make cooking both easy and fun…yes, I said FUN!  My kitchen is my happy place, and I want yours to be that place too.  And if you make this recipe, I would love you to tag @FramedCooks on Instagram so I can see the deliciousness!

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Published on January 29, 2017

Good for: Christmas/Holidays, Comfort Foods, Mother's Day

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  1. FoodTravelDiva says

    September 3, 2009 at 3:18 am

    Isn't it wonderful when good recipes can be passed from generation to generation?! I'm inspired to try those cookies. If you don't mind I'd love to direct our Foodista readers to your blog. Just add your choice of widget to this post and you're all set!

    Reply
  2. songfemme says

    September 3, 2009 at 2:58 pm

    I'd love to see the recipe card. :)
    xo

    Reply
  3. d says

    September 3, 2009 at 6:37 pm

    Just found you smugmug site and checked out your blog…These all make me sooo want to get in the kitchen, everything looks so good. The photo of the food look so good! Whats in your camera bag? I can't wait to try some of your recipes… thanks for sharing! I love photography and cooking too!

    Reply
  4. Kate Morgan Jackson says

    September 3, 2009 at 6:44 pm

    Thanks so much! I shoot with a Nikon D700, usually with a 105mm lens, and either natural light or with my Impact cool lights, which give off a great daylight look. Glad you like the cookies!

    Reply
  5. Jennifer says

    September 21, 2009 at 12:06 am

    Your photos are beyond STUNNING!!!! I am in awe!

    Reply
  6. Kate Morgan Jackson says

    September 21, 2009 at 12:24 pm

    Thanks Jennifer! I have a lot of fun shooting them. :-)

    Reply
  7. jenny says

    September 29, 2009 at 12:22 pm

    i think everyone has a grandma's molasses cookie recipe. your's is just like mine =) i love them. and i love your photos, too!

    Reply
  8. Me says

    October 5, 2009 at 12:21 am

    I love molasses cookies with a passion… and these might be the best ones I've ever had.

    Reply
  9. ellie jacques capon says

    November 3, 2009 at 9:14 pm

    Kate,
    I was just searching for a molasses cookie recipe. I am at a friend's and don't have my grandmother's (!) recipe with me. How delightful to have found not only your recipe but this fantastic blog. Can't wait to explore! Have a great day and thanks for sharing…

    Reply
  10. Kate Morgan Jackson says

    November 4, 2009 at 1:29 am

    Thanks so much for all these comments! It makes me so happy that my grandma's cookies are finding their way to so many great folks. :-)

    Reply
  11. julie329 says

    November 12, 2009 at 2:16 am

    Oh Yay! My grandma's molasses sugar cookie recipe uses Crisco which I am moving away from. These are almost identical, so look like a fabulous alternative. Thank you!

    Wonderful wonderful photos too.

    Reply
  12. Anonymous says

    December 2, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    I've been trying out different molasses cookies for 3 years now. I've never been 100% satisfied. I am 99.9% satisfied with these fantastic cookies. Only a little disappointed in how flat they baked, maybe ill add less butter next time. Every person who tried the cookies said more than "love" they wanted to know when I was making again…the flatness and everything. WOW thank you for the great recipe.

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says

    December 12, 2009 at 2:37 am

    This is amazingly the same exact recipe and instructions that are on the back of the Golding Farms Molasses bottle…

    Reply
  14. theUngourmet says

    January 14, 2010 at 9:53 pm

    I stumbled onto your blog while looking for a molasses cookie recipe to make for my son. Great blog you have here! :)

    Reply
  15. Kate Morgan Jackson says

    January 15, 2010 at 2:17 pm

    Thank you so much — I hope you come back and visit often!

    Reply
  16. Candyco says

    January 20, 2010 at 12:18 am

    I made the Grandma's Molasses cookies and they are so delicious! There are so many wonderful recipes on this site and the photography is very nice also.Thank you for sharing.:-) Angela

    Reply
  17. LynnieBNC says

    April 8, 2010 at 6:44 pm

    I LOVE THIS! This is the exact recipe that my mother-in-law gave my husb, hand written. It is ALSO the very same recipe on the molasses bottle (not the bunny one). Nonetheless, EVERYONE raves about these cookies!!! They are just perfect!

    Reply
  18. LynnieBNC says

    April 8, 2010 at 6:45 pm

    PS we always add more spices..

    Reply
  19. LynnieBNC says

    April 8, 2010 at 6:48 pm

    PPS we also don't flatten them, they do it themselves, and they are a LITTLE bit chewier rather than crispier. MMMMMMM I want to make some NOW!

    Reply
  20. Robert says

    April 19, 2010 at 9:14 pm

    This is not the cookie my grandmother made. They were smooth on top and very chewey. Think she used blackstrap molasses. Put in refrigerator over night until cold. Used crisco. Have tried many different recipes all have cracks on the top. Hers were shiney and smooth. can you make any suggestions

    Reply
  21. Anonymous says

    August 15, 2010 at 1:41 pm

    Ok, so your backstory on the handwritten recipe card got me! I made these cookies and stuck to the recipe to the letter out of respect to you and your grandmother! I took the cookies to a pool part at a friend's house. A seventy year old man told me he hadn't had cookies that delicious since his mother died. I made him his own batch the next day. Thank you, and thanks to your grandmother!
    Greg Smith

    Reply
  22. Anonymous says

    August 20, 2010 at 6:50 pm

    I'm in love with Framed! I've never baked molasses cookies before, a friend requested them. After baking the Believe Cake 5 times now (requested constintly)I came here for a molasses cookie recipe. My husband who thinks the cookies are chocolate chip cookies. . . until he had Grandma's Molasses Cookies. He now requests these too. Thanks for all your great pictures, stories and recipes!

    Reply
  23. Cate says

    August 23, 2010 at 5:41 pm

    I have been looking for a molasses cookie recipe like the kind I remember from my childhood. I remember them as being really dark. Would you use salted or unsalted butter in this? Have seen other recipes calling for oil. Your website is very attractive.

    Reply
  24. Kate Morgan Jackson says

    August 23, 2010 at 5:57 pm

    I would use unsalted butter if you have it, although there is so little salt in the salted kind that it really won't make that much of a difference. Happy cooking!

    Reply
  25. Anonymous says

    September 9, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    Hello. I love the recipe and the jars in your picture. Can you tell me where you got them?

    Thank you so much for a great recipe!

    Reply
  26. Kate Morgan Jackson says

    September 9, 2010 at 10:31 pm

    The jars are actually at a store that I visited, so I'm not sure where she got them – but I have similar ones that I found at the Container Store. They have a great website, so give them a try!

    Reply
  27. bethsheba says

    September 11, 2010 at 2:25 am

    I just salivate over every recipe you post and look forward in anticipation
    To your next blog to see what recipe we will get. I also just think those
    Cookie jars are so elegant, do you know were to purchase them ?

    Reply
  28. Anonymous says

    November 25, 2010 at 6:00 pm

    How many cookies does this recipe make?

    Reply
  29. Alex Bard says

    December 4, 2010 at 10:33 pm

    You know, these are the only cookies that I ever make now, because I've become famous for them. They are seriously the best. Thanks!

    Reply
  30. Mary says

    December 8, 2010 at 5:59 am

    I just wanted to let you know… I just made these cookies (literally, they're still on the cooling racks) and I think I just discovered the true meaning of Christmas :) Thank you!
    Oh! And I'm going to feature these in my 12 Days of Christmas Cookies over at maryweise.com, if that's ok! I'll definitely be crediting you and linking back :)

    Reply
  31. Kate Morgan Jackson says

    December 8, 2010 at 12:35 pm

    @Anonymous: they make about 24 cookies, depending on how big or small you make the dough balls

    @Mary: I think they smell like Christmas too! Happy to have you feature them.

    @Alex: This is a great cookie to be famous for, and love the hat!

    @ Everyone who asks about the cookie jars: The Container Store.

    Reply
  32. Anonymous says

    December 11, 2010 at 8:59 pm

    Sorry, but my batch of cookies turned out like pralines. Too much butter, not enough flour. Like my cookies a little thicker.

    Reply
  33. Anonymous says

    December 22, 2010 at 7:16 pm

    I wanted to make molasses cookies because I had molasses and I don't like molasses cookies, so Christmas was the perfect excuse to bake a bunch and give them away. Unfortunately, I found these cookies to be way too yummy to give them ALL away. Your Grandma did good. Thanks for passing along! -Martha

    Reply
  34. Renee, Your Sweet Tooth Therapist says

    April 6, 2011 at 10:27 pm

    I'm about to make these cookies, or some variation of them, for my hubby who out of the blue requested molasses cookies. Not sure where that came from, as he's never asked for them before, but yours look devine. If I get a minute I'll be sure to blog about it at sweettooththerapy.blogspot.com Thanks for sharing such a great blog post.

    Reply
  35. Grapegoddess says

    April 12, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    Love the pics and cookies!

    Reply
  36. Anonymous says

    May 20, 2011 at 1:39 am

    I wanted to thank you for sharing this delicious recipe! My husband always talks about the molasses cookies that his grandma used to make, so I wanted to find a grandma's recipe! He loved them! Thank you!

    Reply
  37. FramedCooks says

    May 21, 2011 at 12:48 pm

    I'm so glad that everyone is continuing to love these cookies! I might have to make another batch this weekend…it will be my millionth one, but who's counting?? :)

    Reply
  38. Anonymous says

    September 12, 2011 at 1:01 am

    So, I made these cookies before, and they turned out awesome. Everyone raved! But the second time I made them, they got seriously flat and basically like a crisp. I did the same thing both time, triple checked my measurements.. what went wrong!

    Reply
  39. yolanda says

    September 14, 2011 at 1:40 am

    awesome cookies. I added some crystalized ginger as well as the other spices. Result was very soft and buttery. yum.

    Reply
  40. ella :) says

    October 6, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    i had a HUGE craving for molasses cookies last night and wanted to make them for my Bible study– so I googled "molasses cookies" and read several different recipes but liked your sweet grandma's the best—– I was NOT disappointed! THEY ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!! and i'm SO GLAD i had leftovers!!!!! THANKS for sharing such a treasure of a recipe. :)

    Reply
  41. FramedCooks says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:47 am

    Ella and Yolanda: I'm so glad – and I know my grandma would be too!

    Anon: Oh dear…the only thing I can think of is that maybe the dough didn't get hard enough? I hope you'll try them again!

    Reply
  42. Anonymous says

    October 24, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    These are the best molasses cookies ever! Thank you for sharing the recipe.

    Reply
  43. Anonymous says

    November 26, 2011 at 1:22 am

    One good trick from my mom's molasses recipes that can be applied here too:
    Instead of putting the mixture in the fridge in a bowl, split the mix in two and wrap them in foil, forming them like a sausage…this way, when it hardens, you can cut them with a butter knife and have a perfect shape. You can keep the second "sausage" for another day…these cookies are soooo good warm out of the oven I like to always eat fresh batches. Thanks so much for sharing…

    Reply
  44. FramedCooks says

    November 27, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    LOVE the "sausage" idea – I'm definitely trying that next time!

    Reply
  45. ElisabethSpace says

    November 27, 2011 at 10:27 pm

    Oh, my, I can't wait to make these. My tastebuds believe that molasses cookies are some of the most underrated cookie ever and would enjoy finding them in more glass jars around town. I love how you liken these cookies to your grandmother with the last sentence. :)

    Today is my grandma Millie's 91st birthday, so this post resonants with me greatly. I can envision the recipe card I have in her handwriting for Petits Choux (straight outta Betty Crocker, btw), something we make together every Christmas.

    Reply
  46. Anonymous says

    December 4, 2011 at 4:43 am

    my husband asked for molasses there his favorite i make cookies all the time but never molasses. but after reading your blog tomorrow will be the day. i'll get back and let you know how it went

    Reply
  47. Joanne Travis says

    December 14, 2011 at 6:17 am

    I made a batch to send to my Dad and they disappeared before I got the chance to package them up! Just made another one tonight and am guarding it :)
    The family's favorite recipe of the season. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  48. Anonymous says

    December 24, 2011 at 12:55 am

    which flour do you recommend using – all purpose or self rising?

    Reply
  49. FramedCooks says

    December 24, 2011 at 1:12 am

    Definitely all-purpose. :)

    Reply
  50. Anonymous says

    January 6, 2012 at 5:45 pm

    About how many cookies does 1 recipe make?

    Reply
  51. FramedCooks says

    January 7, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    It usually makes about 30 or so for me.

    Reply
  52. Anonymous says

    January 28, 2012 at 4:52 pm

    My grandma used to make something very similar to this but they were chewy and smooth on the top. I have the "recipe" but i do not think it is complete. Ot inam doing it wrong. I have tried many different times and have not been able to get them right. Does anyone have any suggestions or recipes. We just called them night cookies. I am not a great baker so any suggesstions would be great.
    I can alos email the recipe

    Reply
  53. Elsa L.B. says

    April 20, 2012 at 2:42 pm

    I can’t wait to try this recipe. I love recipes that have been passed down through generations. Thank you for sharing your grandmothers recipe.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      April 21, 2012 at 9:18 am

      You are so welcome – I hope you love it as much as I do!

      Reply
  54. TaosRob says

    October 8, 2012 at 10:00 am

    At 8500 ft where we live most cookies spread too much. To remedy that problem we reduce the amount of sugar and fat.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      October 29, 2012 at 8:47 am

      Thanks TaosRob…and wow, that is high up there! Must be beautiful.

      Reply
  55. Tarah says

    October 28, 2012 at 5:52 pm

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!! Just made these and these very fantastic!!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      October 29, 2012 at 8:47 am

      Tarah, I’m so glad! They are my favorite cookies in the whole wide world. :)

      Reply
  56. jen says

    December 18, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    Thank you for these wonderful cookies and simplistic recipe. I look for this EVERY year…I really should write this down :)

    Reply
    • Kate says

      December 21, 2012 at 2:11 pm

      Or you can just keep coming back to Framed Cooks to visit! :) :)

      Reply
  57. Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says

    May 2, 2015 at 1:13 pm

    Oh my, I just wanted to reach into that picture and grab a couple of those! Your Grandma sounded just like mine with the pancakes!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      May 2, 2015 at 3:21 pm

      Aren’t our grandmas the best? :)

      Reply
  58. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    January 29, 2017 at 5:58 pm

    Those are the best kind of recipes Kate! These sound just wonderful. My son Sean loves molasses cookies. I suspect a few of these will be in his next care package!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 31, 2017 at 10:56 am

      Don’t you just love making care packages for our chickies? :)

      Reply
  59. Demeter | Beaming Baker says

    January 29, 2017 at 6:57 pm

    Grandma’s cookies are the best! Love that you made this based off of your grandma’s recipe. Just looking at that stack makes me drool! Hope you’re having an awesome weekend Kate! :)

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 31, 2017 at 10:56 am

      Grandma’s cookies ARE the best! :)

      Reply
  60. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    January 30, 2017 at 8:10 am

    So glad that you shared your Grandma’s recipe, Kate! Grandmas make the BEST food! Wish I had the entire stack of these babies!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 31, 2017 at 10:55 am

      Grandmas DO make the best food!

      Reply
  61. grace says

    January 30, 2017 at 11:52 am

    i know why they’re so good–SO much butter! i’d eat these like it was my job. :)

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 31, 2017 at 10:54 am

      everything is better with butter!

      Reply
  62. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    January 30, 2017 at 1:53 pm

    Oh goodness, I ate too many Molasses Cookies over the Christmas Holiday, because I made a few batches and then my husband told me he doesn’t like molasses cookies anymore. Ummmm… since when?! ;) Needless I say I was forced to eat them all. hahaha. I’m adding your cookies to my list of must make as soon as I’m craving cookies again! Yours look wonderful, Kate!! Cheers!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 31, 2017 at 10:54 am

      It is our solemn duty to eat All The Cookies. :)

      Reply
  63. Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says

    January 30, 2017 at 6:10 pm

    Recipes that have been passed down generations are always the best!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 31, 2017 at 10:54 am

      Aren’t they? Extra sweetness.

      Reply
  64. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

    January 31, 2017 at 7:45 am

    Isn’t it wonderful when we have a little bit of our family history available through recipes like your grandmother’s cookies that you enjoyed so much. I bet they are delicious.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 31, 2017 at 10:54 am

      They are the best! :)

      Reply
  65. Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    February 1, 2017 at 11:57 am

    Thank you so for sharing your grandmother’ s recipe with us. These cookies look wonderful. Old family recipes are the best, can’t wait to try this recipe.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      February 2, 2017 at 8:17 am

      Thank you – they are my faves!

      Reply
  66. Shelly Wirtz says

    February 2, 2017 at 8:34 am

    I knew you’d want to “fix” it, continue cooling on rack (not “cooking”) My grandma would somehow have to re-soften her molasses cookies when we came to visit as they had gone a bit stale in the cookie jar, also the best potato chips were her “warmed on a cookie sheet” stale potato chips from our last visit, ah the memories one cookie can bring to mind. Love your blog.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      February 2, 2017 at 8:56 am

      Oh my goodness, thanks for the catch – all fixed! And yes, grandma treats memories are some of the best. :)

      Reply

Hi, I’m Kate! I’m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover. I’m so glad you’re here!

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