Name: Molasses Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 26 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¾ cup (170.25 g) butter browned and solidified; ⅓ cup (66.67 g) granulated sugar; ⅔ cup (146.67 g) brown sugar; ¼ cup (56 g) molasses; 1 large egg, room temperature; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon salt; 1½ teaspoons baking soda; 1½ teaspoons ground ginger; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon cloves; ¼ teaspoon nutmeg; 2 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour; ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar for rolling cookies; ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar for rolling cookies

If you’re craving a cookie that’s chewy, full of warm spice, and just a little bit magical, then you’re in for a treat with my Molasses Crinkle Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies turn out—rich with molasses, kissed with ginger and cinnamon, and that irresistible crackled sugar coating that makes every bite a nostalgic delight. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, you’ll find that these cookies are straightforward to make and seriously addictive.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Chewy Texture: Thanks to browned butter and molasses, these cookies stay soft and chewy, never dry.
Warm, Cozy Spices: Ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves combine for that classic spiced flavor you’ll want year-round.
Simple Ingredients: Using pantry staples you probably already have makes this recipe easy for last-minute baking.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Chilling the dough overnight helps deepen the flavor and makes baking day a breeze.

A close-up view of seven round cookies arranged in a cluster on a well-used metal baking tray, each cookie having a cracked surface showing a dark brown interior with a generous dusting of white powdered sugar in the cracks and on top. The cookies have a rough texture with slight uneven edges, and the baking tray has a warm bronze tone with visible bake marks. The tray rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Molasses Crinkle Cookies, chewy molasses cookies, spiced cookie recipe, crackle sugar cookies, easy holiday cookies

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays a key role in creating these classic Molasses Crinkle Cookies. I recommend using fresh spices for the best aroma and flavor, and if you can, invest in a kitchen scale—the precision with flour makes a noticeable difference.

Flat lay of browned solidified golden butter pat, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of brown sugar, a small white bowl of thick dark molasses, one large whole egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl of fine salt, a small white bowl of baking soda powder, a small white bowl of ground ginger powder, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white bowl of ground cloves, a small white bowl of ground nutmeg, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of granulated sugar for rolling, a small white bowl of powdered sugar for rolling, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Molasses Crinkle Cookies, chewy molasses cookies, spiced cookie recipe, crackle sugar cookies, easy holiday cookies

Butter: Browning the butter adds a nutty depth you can’t get with plain melted butter.
Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s crackled surface.
Brown sugar: Adds moisture and enhances chewiness, plus a hint of caramel flavor.
Molasses: The star ingredient that gives these cookies their signature rich flavor and dark color.
Egg: Helps bind everything together and adds richness.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and rounds out the spice blend.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and boosts flavor complexity.
Baking soda: Leavens the cookie so it’s light but still chewy.
Ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg: The cozy spice combo that makes these cookies irresistible.
All-purpose flour: The base that holds it all together; measuring lightly with a spoon gives the best result.
Granulated sugar and powdered sugar (for rolling): Double rolling in sugar before baking creates the signature crackle and adds a subtle crunch.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I like to tweak this Molasses Crinkle Cookies Recipe depending on the season or what flavors my family is craving. Don’t hesitate to personalize it to fit your taste or dietary needs—it’s fun and easy!

Spice it up: I sometimes add a pinch of black pepper or cayenne to the dough for a subtle kick—it really wakes up the flavors!
Gluten-free version: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend with xanthan gum, and the cookies come out just as chewy and tasty.
Vegan tweak: Replace the egg with a flax egg and use vegan butter to make these cookies entirely plant-based.
Chocolate delight: Fold in mini chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate after baking for a decadent twist my kids adore.

How to Make Molasses Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Butter for Deep Flavor

Start by melting ¾ cup of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. You want to keep stirring the butter as it melts and starts to foam, then watch closely as it transitions to a golden brown color with a nutty aroma. This step is crucial—it just takes a minute or two, but can quickly turn from brown to burnt if you’re not vigilant. Once browned, pour the butter into a bowl and refrigerate until it solidifies and is soft but firm, about an hour. I discovered this trick years ago and it instantly made my cookies more flavorful and chewy.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the now softened browned butter with granulated and brown sugars on medium-high speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, around 3 minutes. This aeration helps give the cookies a great lift and texture. Then, add molasses, the room-temperature egg, and vanilla, mixing just until combined. I always make sure my egg is at room temp to help everything blend smoothly without curdling.

Step 3: Slowly Add Dry Ingredients

Mix in the dry ingredients—flour, salt, baking soda, and spices—slowly and gently to avoid overworking the dough. I usually stop mixing while there are still a few bits of flour visible; this prevents the cookies from becoming tough. Trust me, a light hand here preserves that chewy, tender crumb we’re after.

Step 4: Chill the Dough to Build Flavor

Scoop the dough into generous ¼ cup-sized balls and place them on a baking sheet. Pop them into the fridge for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. Chilling slows down the spreading during baking and lets the spices marry, producing a richer flavor. I always prepare my dough the night before baking and find the results well worth the wait.

Step 5: Roll and Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Take the chilled dough balls and roll each first in granulated sugar, then in powdered sugar. This dual coating creates the signature crackled surface that’s so delightful to bite into. Arrange 6-8 cookies per sheet, allowing space for spreading. Bake for 11-13 minutes—look for light golden edges and a crackled top. Don’t overbake! The cookies should still look a bit soft in the middle when you pull them out; they firm up as they cool, maintaining that chewy texture we love.

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Pro Tips for Making Molasses Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Brown Butter Patience: Keep stirring while browning butter; it can go from golden to burnt quickly.
Chill for Flavor: Don’t skip chilling the dough—it really boosts the flavor and controls the spread.
Gentle Mixing: Stop mixing the dough when you still see a bit of flour to avoid tough cookies.
Watch the Bake Time: Take cookies out when edges are set but middles are still soft for perfect chewiness.

How to Serve Molasses Crinkle Cookies Recipe

The image shows four round chocolate cookies on a light brown baking tray lined with parchment paper. Each cookie has a cracked surface dusted with white powdered sugar, creating a rough yet soft texture. One cookie, located near the center, has a bite taken out of it, revealing a moist, dense chocolate inside. The tray rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Molasses Crinkle Cookies, chewy molasses cookies, spiced cookie recipe, crackle sugar cookies, easy holiday cookies

Garnishes

I usually enjoy these cookies as-is since their crackly sugar coating is so inviting—but if I’m feeling festive, a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right after baking adds a beautiful salty-sweet contrast that my family goes crazy for.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot tea or spiced chai, and for holiday parties, I like serving them alongside warm mulled cider or a rich hot chocolate. They’re also fantastic with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple dessert upgrade.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I arrange these Molasses Crinkle Cookies Recipe on rustic wooden boards with sprigs of fresh rosemary or evergreen. Another fun idea is stacking them tied with a festive ribbon for gift-giving—nothing says homemade love like a jar or box full of these beauties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They stay soft and delicious for up to a week. If you find they’ve firmed up a bit, just leave them out for 30 minutes to soften before enjoying.

Freezing

This recipe freezes really well! I freeze baked cookies in a zip-top bag separated by parchment sheets, and cookie dough balls on a tray lined with parchment before transferring to a freezer bag. Freeze dough up to 3 months and bake directly from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes baking time.

Reheating

To refresh the cookies and bring back their chewy softness, pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave a single cookie for 10-15 seconds. This little trick makes leftover cookies taste almost like fresh-baked.

FAQs

Can I use regular butter instead of browning it for this Molasses Crinkle Cookies Recipe?

Yes, you can use regular softened butter, but browning the butter adds a rich, nutty depth that really elevates the flavor and texture of these cookies. I highly recommend giving it a try to experience the difference.
Why do I have to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough firms it up, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It also helps the flavors meld together, resulting in a tastier, more balanced cookie. I noticed my cookies always turned out better when I let the dough rest in the fridge.
What causes the crackled surface on Molasses Crinkle Cookies?

The crackle effect comes from rolling the chilled dough balls first in granulated sugar then powdered sugar before baking. As the cookies bake and spread, the sugars create those beautiful crinkly cracks on top—so don’t skip this fun step.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Replacing the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum works well. Keep in mind that texture might vary slightly, but the cookies will still be delicious.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?

Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these Molasses Crinkle Cookies stay fresh and soft for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage.

Final Thoughts

This Molasses Crinkle Cookies Recipe has become one of my go-to treats whenever I want something that feels cozy, homemade, and utterly irresistible. I love sharing these with friends and family because the warm spices and chewy texture always seem to bring smiles around the table. If you want a cookie that’s a little nostalgic but also fancy enough for any occasion, give this recipe a try—you’ll be so glad you did.