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Chewy Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies …because even though it’s still November, I am totally ready for Christmas cookies.
Christmas cookies with plenty of chocolate too, because if you’re going to add chocolate…you might as well go all out.
Okay, fine. You don’t have to add chocolate, but let’s be real, these ginger cookies are a million and one times better with the addition of a generous drizzle of chocolate…or chocolate dip.
Whatever you prefer.
I know it may be slightly early (or not..depends on how you feel about Christmas…and cookies) to be circulating Christmas cookie recipes, but before you know it December 25th will be here and we need to be prepared. Plus, I have a major goal to actually send out my annual Christmas Cookie gift boxes this year, so I need to start compiling my list of cookies to include in the boxes. I wasn’t prepared/organized enough last year and I never got out all of the boxes I wanted to. Determined to not let that happen again this year, so today we’re talking cookies.
Who is ready?
Every holiday season I pick a good amount of sweets to share with you guys. In previous years I’ve shared plenty of cookie recipes, cakes, and more. This year will be no different. I have so many recipes I want to share. When I was trying to decide what to make from my list of ideas I was kind of at a loss. I literally have a google doc page a mile long with holiday desserts. I stared at my computer screen forever before I finally decided to just send my list off to my family and have them pick their favorites.
Thankfully my family is awesome (except when they picked on me at Thanksgiving and I just wasn’t in the mood…thanks guys). and was more than willing to help…and taste test.
Obviously.
Lyndsie responded first and I almost always agree with her choices, so I went with her selections and didn’t think twice about it. It was no surprise that these ginger cookies were at the top of Lyn’s list. She also said I should make apple tarts and fruit crumbles, but those don’t feel very festive to me. Hmmm.
Anyway, Brendan and Lyndsie love ginger like no other, I’ve seen Lyn’s eat it straight up. It’s was weird.
As soon as I put this cookie on the list, I knew they’d insist I make it right away. So I did. Not going to lie, I was a little skeptical as to whether or not I’d love the combo of chocolate and ginger, but you know, it’s kind of delicious.
Not kind of delicious. Like really, really, really delicious.
These cookies are soft, chewy, filled with molasses and a good amount of ginger, plus sweet and chocolatey…basically they’re just all things perfection.
Honest. These cookies are some of the best ever. Especially if eaten when slightly warm and right after being drizzled with chocolate. Ahh? Christmas cookie heaven? Yup.
A few important things. The one thing that really sets these cookies apart from other molasses based cookies is the use of salted butter and molasses. I know there are many people who don’t like to bake with salted butter. However, I actually prefer it, especially when baking cookies. Using salted butter gives your cookies a specialness that you just can’t get from adding in a pinch of salt. I know that sounds stupid, but salted butter is the way to go.
I also use a bit more molasses than most molasses cookie recipes call for. When I set out to make these cookies, I really wanted them to be extremely chewy. I also really wanted to have the molasses taste shine through. So, I upped the amount of molasses and added vanilla extract to highlight the molasses and ginger flavors. The result was a perfectly moist and chewy molasses cookie with hints of vanilla and ginger throughout.
For the final steps, the cookies are rolled through coarse sugar, baked (be sure to not over bake these, under baking is always, always best), and then drizzled or dunked into chocolate. As mentioned, eating these cookies warm, with melted chocolate is something I’d highly recommend trying.
Or let the chocolate set, package them up, and send them off in a cookie box. Either way, you’ll find yourself making (and eating) these cookies all December long.
Who’s up for a little Tuesday night baking? These take no time at all, so I’m thinking it’s a cookie before dinner kind of night…
Chewy Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 sticks salted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup blackstrap molasses
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- coarse sugar, for rolling
- 8 ounces milk or semi-sweet chocolate, melted
Instructions
- 1. Position an oven rack in the upper 1/3 of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375° F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. 2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add the egg and molasses and mix until evenly combined. Add the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt, beating until combined and a dough forms. 3. Place the coarse sugar in a small bowl. 4. Lightly rub your hands with butter. Roll the dough into tablespoon size balls and roll through the coarse sugar (if the dough is too sticky, chill for 20 minutes). Place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing the cookies 2 inches apart. Transfer to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are just starting to set around the edges, the centers should be a little doughy. Let cool on the pan 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.5. Drizzle or dip each cookie in chocolate. Let the chocolate set at room temp, about 1 hour. Store in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Just the way my mom taught me.
Lastly, if you make these Chewy Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Could I make the dough and freeze? Want to make several types of cookies for a party and want to make it ahead to save some time. They look gorgeous and delicious!
Sure you can either freeze the dough, then thaw and bake or bake the cookies and freeze. Thaw on the counter. Both work great. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! ?
Any way to make these ahead and freeze?
Sure you can either freeze the dough, then thaw and bake or bake the cookies and freeze. Thaw on the counter. Both work great. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
These cookies look amazing!! I can’t wait to make them. Question – could I add mini chocolate chips to the dough or would that be a bad idea with this type of cookie dough? Thanks!
Mini chocolate chips would be AMAZING! Love this idea! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
These are amazing! I found this recipe and decided to test it for the holidays (but let’s be real, I just wanted an excuse to eat cookies). I was lazy and skipped the chocolate this time but the cookies are delicious. They are so soft, like cake. Definitely will be making these for Christmas. Thanks for another good one!
Haha that is the best excuse to make cookies! I am really glad you enjoyed these Tamra, I hope they turn out great for Christmas as well!
Very good! I tried the recipe yesterday but I would like to know a more precise quantity for the butter for your non-American followers 😉 I don’t know what is a stick of butter 😉
Hi Vanessa! Sorry about that. A stick of butter is 8 tablespoons or 1/2 cup! I am really glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks!
I LOVE your website. I’m also wondering- did you use fancy or blackstrap? Opinions?
I use blackstrap! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Oh wow these look amazing!! Could I roll the dough out and cut it into gingerbread men or is it better to cook them as a circle cookie?
HI! These are better as circles as the dough isn’t firm enough to hold a cut out shape. If you want to roll them out, add 1/4 more flour, roll out, cut into shapes, then freeze the cut dough shapes for 15 minutes on the baking sheet, then bake for 8-10 minutes. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Yes!! Please keep the cookie recipes coming! Looking for a new cookie or 2 to add to my annual cooking baking day with my friends. I personally love ginger cookies so I’m excited to try! Thanks!!!
I hope you love these Teresa! And a baking day with friends sounds like so much fun! Thank you!
hi there!
are you using fancy molasses or blackstrap molasses?
I use blackstrap. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Hey Tieghan,
These cookies look perfect and made me smile when I saw your post. 🙂 I love the idea of chewy ginger cookies with quality dark chocolate! I can’t wait to bake these for my mom during break. Also, it’s not at all too early for Christmas cookies! Haha Christmas cookies and baking are some of my favorite things about this time of year (and almost everything else ?). I agree that a fruit crumble might not be very festive, but maybe you could do a cranberry coffee cake? Or cranberry oatmeal cookies or scones? Either way, I’m looking forward to more holiday posts and hope you’re staying warm. 🙂
Ooo those cranberry coffee cake sounds so yummy! I am so glad you like these cookies and I hope your mom loves them! Than you Kristin!
Thank you so much for this great ginger, molasses and chocolate cookie. This will take me back in time when my relatives made them for us (but without the chocolate) and I loved them. These will be great.
Awesome! I hope you enjoy these Earl!
Thank you for posting these. they sound wonderful. im gonna try them this weeekend!
Great! I hope you love these! Thanks Debbi!
Firstly, heck no it’s not too early for Christmas cookies! (Haha, but my family decorates before Thanksgiving so maybe that makes me obsessed.) Also, these cookies are definitely a win, and thirdly I say right on to the salted butter. Best EVER!!!
Love that you decorate that early! Haha thank you Tori, so happy you like these!
These look fabulous – can’t wait to try them. But since they last only 4 days, I have to make them a lot closer to Christmas. Thanks for another wonderful recipe!
I am so happy you liked these cookies! Thank you Rose!
Chocolate is definitely a mandatory ingredient here, I say! Although I might be partial to adding white chocolate instead.
Yes! I hope you love these, thanks!