Are you craving a warm, comforting treat that's both easy to make and utterly delicious? Look no further than these frosted molasses cookies! This simple recipe delivers chewy, spiced cookies with a delightful molasses flavor, perfectly complemented by a creamy, tangy frosting. It’s the perfect recipe for beginner bakers looking for easy recipes and seasoned cooks searching for a delicious addition to their homemade cooking repertoire. These are quick dinner ideas elevated, ideal for satisfying those sweet cravings after a long day. Get ready to enjoy a batch of these irresistible, healthy-ish (we promise!) cookies.
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup molasses
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup molasses
- 2-4 tablespoons milk or cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Making the Cookies:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze!
- Cream Together: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving a tender cookie. A stand mixer or hand mixer works best.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the molasses and eggs until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; slightly lumpy batter is okay.
- Scoop & Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Frosting:
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until combined.
- Add Molasses & Flavorings: Beat in the molasses, milk (or cream), and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Add more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, frost them generously with the molasses frosting.
Tips for the Best Molasses Cookies:
- Don't Overbake: Overbaked molasses cookies will be dry and hard. Start checking for doneness at 10 minutes.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): For thicker, chewier cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This also helps prevent spreading.
- Adjust Spices: Feel free to adjust the amount of spices to your liking. A little extra ginger or cinnamon can really enhance the flavor.
Variations:
- Chocolate Molasses Cookies: Add ½ cup of cocoa powder to the cookie dough for a rich chocolate twist.
- Nutty Molasses Cookies: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the cookie dough for added texture and flavor.
- Glazed Molasses Cookies: Instead of frosting, drizzle melted chocolate or a simple glaze over the cooled cookies.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 150-200
- Fat: Approximately 8-10g
- Sugar: Approximately 15-20g
These frosted molasses cookies are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They're perfect for holiday baking, afternoon snacks, or any occasion where you want a delicious and easy-to-make treat. Enjoy!