These soft and chewy ginger molasses cookies are packed with warm holiday spices like ginger and cinnamon and rolled in sugar for a classic crinkly finish!
Optional: dash of vanilla, white chocolate melting wafers (for dipping), sprinkles
Instructions
Prep. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Cream butter and sugar. Combine 3/4 cup butter and 1 cup light brown sugar in a large bowl. Cream for one minute, or until fluffy. Add in one large egg and beat until smooth. Next add in 1/4 cup molasses and a dash of vanilla if desired. Mix until combined.
Add dry ingredients. Place 2 1/4 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon cloves and 1/4 teaspoon salt into a sifter (if you don’t have a sifter, whisk in a bowl), and then add to the butter mixture. Mix with a spoon, just until combined. Be careful not to over mix.
Chill dough. Refrigerate dough 10-15 minutes.
Roll into balls. Using a medium cookie scoop (or about 1.5 Tablespoons), roll the cookie dough into a ball. Place 1/4 cup granulated sugar into a shallow bowl and then roll the dough into the sugar. Place on the baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Lightly flatten the tops with the palm of your hand.
Bake. Bake 8-10 minutes and let cool on the pan 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack. Tip: If your cookies aren't cracking as much as you'd like, bang the pan on the stove right after they come out of the oven to crack the cookies. They will settle as they cool.
Once the cookies have cooled, if desired dip half the cookies in melted white chocolate then place on wax paper or parchment paper. Allow to harden.
Notes
If I want a good crackle, I typically place them on the top rack of the oven. Then make sure to tap the pan on the counter when you pull them out. To store: These cookies stay fresh for up to 3 days in an airtight container Freezing dough: Scoop the dough into balls, then flash freeze on a baking sheet until hard (about 30 minutes). Then add to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.Baking from frozen: Let the frozen dough balls sit on the baking sheet as the oven preheats. Then bake as directed, adding 1-2 minutes to the original baking time if needed.