The Best Molasses Crackle Cookies Recipe for Sweet Moments

Sweet memories of childhood baking often revolve around molasses crackle cookies that fill kitchens with warm, nostalgic aromas.

Grandmothers across generations have perfected this delightful treat with simple ingredients and love.

Crisp edges and soft centers make these cookies irresistible to anyone who tries them.

Crackled surfaces hint at the deep, rich flavor waiting inside each bite.

Spices like cinnamon and ginger dance through the dough, creating an irresistible warmth.

Baking these cookies connects you to treasured family traditions and comfort.

Prepare to fall in love with every delectable, crumbly morsel that emerges from your oven.

Molasses Crackle Cookies You’ll Crave Again and Again

• Speedy Spice Delight: Whips up in just 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for quick baking sessions.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion: Packed with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves that create an irresistible aroma and taste everyone will love.
• Budget-Friendly Baking: Uses simple, affordable ingredients like canola oil and basic pantry spices, making it an economical treat for any home baker.
• Kid-Friendly Cooking Adventure: Easy enough for children to help roll cookie balls in sugar and watch them transform into crackly, golden treats during baking.

Molasses Crackle Cookies: What’s Inside

• Canola Oil: Provides moisture and helps create a soft, tender cookie texture.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps with caramelization and crisp edges.
• Molasses: Adds deep, rich flavor and contributes to the cookie's characteristic dark color.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides structure to the cookie.

• Flour: Forms the base of the cookie, creating a stable structure.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread, giving a light texture.
• Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves: Warm spices that create a classic, comforting flavor profile.

• Sugar (for rolling): Creates a sweet, sparkling exterior and adds extra crunch to the cookie surface.

Molasses Cookie Baking Instructions That Crackle Perfectly

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

Step 2: Whip Up the Wet Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, blend canola oil and sugar until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Add Sticky Goodness

Pour in molasses and crack an egg, then mix until everything is beautifully combined.

Step 4: Create the Dry Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Ground ginger
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground cloves

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the molasses mixture, stirring until just combined.

Don’t overmix!

Step 6: Roll in Sweet Coating

Sprinkle remaining sugar in a small bowl.

Use a two-tablespoon scoop to create dough balls, then roll each one in the sugar for a sparkly exterior.

Step 7: Arrange on Baking Sheets

Place cookie balls on prepared sheets, leaving at least two inches between each one to allow room for spreading.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the sheets into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Look for golden brown edges and a slightly cracked top – that’s when you know they’re done!

Holiday Baking Tricks for Crackly Molasses Cookies

• Roll cookie dough balls in sugar right before baking to create a beautiful crackled exterior with extra sweetness and sparkle.
• Use fresh ground spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves to enhance the deep molasses flavor and create a warm, aromatic profile.
• Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup and level with a knife to ensure accurate measurement and prevent dense, heavy cookies.
• Avoid overmixing the dough to keep cookies tender and prevent developing tough gluten structures that can make cookies hard.
• Watch for slight cracking on top and golden brown edges as the signal that cookies are perfectly baked and ready to remove from oven.

Keep Molasses Crackle Cookies Fresh

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, placing wax paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Wrap cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for crisp edges and soft centers.
• If serving within 2 days, keep cookies on the counter in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Pairing Suggestions for Molasses Crackle Cookies

• Pair with Warm Spiced Chai Latte: Complement the cookie's warm spices with a creamy, aromatic chai tea that echoes the ginger and cinnamon notes.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Create a delightful contrast by adding a cool, smooth vanilla scoop alongside these rich, spicy cookies.
• Match with Salted Caramel Sauce: Drizzle a decadent caramel sauce over the cookies to enhance their deep molasses flavor and add a luxurious touch.
• Enjoy with Apple Cider: Pour a chilled glass of spiced apple cider that mirrors the cookie's warm, autumnal spice profile and provides a refreshing counterpoint.

Crackle Cookies Spice or Texture Twists

• Gluten-Free Molasses Cookies: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free flour blend, such as almond or rice flour, to accommodate those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Spice Cookies: Substitute the egg with a flax egg (ground flaxseed mixed with water) and use coconut oil instead of canola oil for a plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Molasses Treats: Reduce sugar content by using a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, maintaining the rich molasses flavor while cutting calories.
• Dairy-Free Ginger Crackles: Ensure all ingredients are dairy-free and use alternative oils like avocado or olive oil for those with dairy restrictions.

FAQs

• What makes molasses crackle cookies unique?

These cookies have a distinctive crackled top that forms during baking, creating a beautiful texture and rustic appearance. The cracking happens when the sugar-coated exterior bakes and splits, revealing a soft, chewy interior.

• Are these cookies soft or crispy?

Molasses crackle cookies are soft and chewy with slightly crisp edges. The combination of molasses and oil keeps them moist and tender, making them a delightful treat that’s not too hard or too soft.

• Why use molasses in this cookie recipe?

Molasses adds deep, rich flavor and helps create the signature dark color of these cookies. It also contributes to the moisture and provides a complex, slightly sweet taste that’s different from regular sugar cookies.

• Can I use different spices in this recipe?

While the recipe calls for ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, you can adjust the spice blend to your preference. Some bakers like to add nutmeg or cardamom for extra warmth and complexity in the flavor profile.

Molasses Crackle Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet memories of grandma’s kitchen come alive with these molasses crackle cookies, where rich spices and deep caramel notes dance across a crisp, sugar-dusted surface. Warm winter comfort waits in each crackled bite that connects you to generations of baking love.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 3 2/3 cups (437 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) canola oil
• 2 1/4 cups (450 grams) granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) molasses
• 1 egg

Spices and Leavening Agents:

• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Garnish:

• 2 1/4 cups (450 grams) granulated sugar (for rolling)

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Instructions

1. Whisk the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves) in a medium mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
2. In a large bowl, vigorously blend canola oil with most of the sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and lighter in color.
3. Incorporate the molasses and egg into the oil-sugar mixture, stirring until the liquid ingredients are fully integrated.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
5. Prepare a separate shallow dish with the remaining sugar for coating the cookie dough.
6. Using a portioning scoop, create uniform dough balls, then roll each one completely in the sugar to create a sparkling exterior.
7. Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on parchment-lined baking sheets, ensuring substantial spacing between each cookie to allow for spreading.
8. Heat the oven to 350°F and position the rack in the center for even baking.
9. Slide the prepared baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for the signature golden-brown edges and characteristic surface cracking.
10. Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheets for a few minutes to firm up before transferring to a wire cooling rack.

Notes

• Swap canola oil with coconut oil for a richer, more tropical flavor profile that adds subtle sweetness.
• Roll cookie balls in turbinado sugar instead of white sugar to create extra sparkly, crunchy exterior with deeper caramel notes.
• Ensure spices like ginger and cinnamon are fresh to maximize their aromatic intensity and warm, complex flavor depth.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain soft, chewy texture for several days after baking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 195
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg