These old fashioned cookies are soft and delicious. They’re perfect for the holidays, but don’t have to wait for a special occasion to make them. The cookie dough is rolled in sugar and baked, giving them a unique crackled look. Make them for your family or take them to the office or bake sale.

A stack of molasses crinkles

Recipe Variations

  • Molasses Thumbprints: After rolling the dough in sugar, make an indentation in the center and fill it with a tiny bit of jam or preserves.
  • Molasses Sandwich Cookies: After baking and cooling, fill the cookies with a cream cheese frosting mixture or jam.

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Molasses Crinkles

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Make your holidays sweeter with homemade molasses crinkles. Or make thumbprints or sandwich cookies with the cookie dough!

  • Author: Diana
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 dozen cookies 1x
  • Category: Cookies
  • Method: Bake

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3/4 cup shortening
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon table salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Sparkling sugar or granulated sugar for coating

Instructions

  1. Beat the butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
  2. Beat in the egg and molasses until well blended.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, and spices; stir or whisk to blend.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the first mixture and stir until blended. 
  5. Chill the molasses cookie dough for 1 hour.
  6. Heat the oven to 350 F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. Shape the dough into small 3/4-inch balls and roll them in the sparkling or granulated sugar. Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between them.
  8. Bake the cookies for 8 to 11 minutes or until set. 
  9. Cool in the pan on a rack for 2 minutes, then remove the cookies to a rack to cool completely.

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