If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that combines warmth, spice, and the kind of beautifully textured bite that makes you reach for seconds (and thirds!), I have just the recipe for you. My Molasses Cookies with Crinkly Edges Recipe is hands down one of my absolute favorites to bake and share. Those crinkly edges? They add the perfect rustic charm and a slight crunch that contrasts the soft, chewy centers perfectly. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll find they’re impossible to resist!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Texture: The edges come out wonderfully crinkly while the centers stay soft and chewy—just how molasses cookies should be.
Warm Spices: A blend of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg gives these cookies that cozy, nostalgic flavor you crave.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything on hand, and it all comes together quickly without fuss.
Batches or Freezing: I’ll share tips on how to bake in batches or freeze dough balls so nothing goes to waste!

Molasses Cookies with Crinkly Edges Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Molasses Cookies with Crinkly Edges Recipe works together to create a perfect balance of flavor and texture. Here are some things to keep in mind while shopping or prepping.

Molasses Cookies with Crinkly Edges Recipe - Ingredients

All-purpose flour: The base of these cookies; using fresh flour will ensure a lighter cookie.
Baking soda: Helps with that tender rise and also contributes to the texture.
Ground ginger: Adds zing and warmth—don’t skip it!
Ground cinnamon: For that familiar spice note everyone loves.
Ground cloves: Very potent, so a little goes a long way to add depth.
Ground nutmeg: Just a hint adds sweetness and complexity.
Salt: Enhances and balances the sweetness and spices.
Unsalted butter: Room temperature for easier creaming—this is key for fluffy dough.
Granulated sugar: Combines with butter to create structure.
Brown sugar: Packed tightly; it keeps these cookies moist and adds that deep molasses flavor.
Egg: Binds all ingredients and adds richness.
Molasses: The star ingredient for flavor and color—choose one you love, blackstrap or regular.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors.
Coarse sugar or granulated sugar (for coating): Gives the cookies that signature crackly, sparkly exterior.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how adaptable this Molasses Cookies with Crinkly Edges Recipe is — it’s easy to tweak according to your mood or pantry. Here are some ways I’ve made it my own, and you might enjoy them too.

Add chopped crystallized ginger: This gives an extra zing and chewy texture that my family goes crazy over.
Swap molasses for honey or maple syrup: I tried this once and got a subtler sweetness that was still delightful.
Make it gluten-free: Using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well, but I recommend chilling the dough longer than usual to help hold their shape.
Sugar coating alternatives: I occasionally use a mix of cinnamon sugar instead of plain sugar for an extra spice kick.

How to Make Molasses Cookies with Crinkly Edges Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dry Ingredients

First thing, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat—this prevents sticking and helps the cookies bake evenly. Next, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl. This blend of spices is what gives the cookies their signature cozy flavor, so mixing them well is essential to spread that warmth throughout the dough evenly.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars Light and Fluffy

Using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed, beat the softened butter together with the granulated and brown sugars until it’s light and fluffy—about two minutes. The creaming process is more than just mixing; it traps air to give your cookies a tender crumb. I used to rush this step and noticed my cookies ended up dense, so don’t skip it!

Step 3: Add Eggs, Molasses, and Vanilla

Beat in the egg until fully incorporated. Then add the molasses and vanilla extract, mixing on low speed just until combined. The molasses gives not only that rich flavor but also moisture, which creates those chewy centers we all love. Be careful not to overmix here; just combine everything.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients into Wet Mixture

Gradually add the dry ingredients into your wet mixture, beating on low just until you have a uniform dough. Overmixing will develop gluten, making your cookies tough, so stop mixing as soon as the flour disappears.

Step 5: Scoop, Roll in Sugar, and Bake

Scoop out about 1 to 2 tablespoons of dough at a time using a cookie scoop or tablespoon. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then coat each thoroughly in your bowl of coarse sugar. This sugar coating is crucial — it creates that sparkle and crackly texture on the edges. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2-3 inches apart to give them room to spread. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges are set but centers look a little soft.

Step 6: The Magic of Crinkly Edges

Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the pan for about five minutes. If your cookies look a bit domed without those signature crinkly edges, here’s a trick I discovered: gently tap the cookie sheet against your counter a couple of times to encourage those lovely cracks to form. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Pro Tips for Making Molasses Cookies with Crinkly Edges Recipe

Use Room Temperature Butter: This helps you cream the butter and sugars properly, leading to the fluffiest dough and best texture.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: I learned the hard way that overworking the dough makes cookies tough instead of tender.
Proper Sugar Coating: Coating the dough balls generously in coarse sugar before baking is what creates those iconic crinkly edges.
Batch Baking Tip: If you aren’t baking all at once, freeze extra dough balls on a tray before coating with sugar to avoid sticky messes.

How to Serve Molasses Cookies with Crinkly Edges Recipe

Molasses Cookies with Crinkly Edges Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with these cookies and don’t add extra garnishes beyond the sugar coating—it lets the molasses and spices shine. But on special occasions, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate adds a lovely contrast and sweetness that my kids adore.

Side Dishes

My go-to pairing with these molasses cookies is a hot cup of chai tea or coffee. The spices in the cookies complement the aromas beautifully. They’re also fantastic alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re looking to turn this into a dessert treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I love arranging these cookies on a rustic wooden platter surrounded by cinnamon sticks and star anise for a festive touch. Wrapping stacks of them in parchment tied with twine also makes adorable edible gifts that are sure to impress everyone.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, I store these molasses cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and chewy for up to a week, which is perfect for a little sweet break throughout the week.

Freezing

If I’ve baked a big batch, I freeze the leftovers wrapped tightly in parchment and stored in a freezer-safe container or bag. They keep for up to three months. Just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Reheating

To refresh the cookies, I pop them in a warm oven (about 300°F) for 4-5 minutes. It makes them taste freshly baked again with that delightful slightly crisp edge and soft middle. You can also microwave them for 15-20 seconds if you’re in a hurry!

FAQs

Why do my molasses cookies not have crinkly edges?

This often happens if the dough balls aren’t coated enough in coarse sugar or if the sugar coating is skipped altogether. Also, the baking time and temperature matter—a slightly higher temp with shorter baking can encourage crinkles. And if your cookies dome up, tapping the hot baking sheet on the counter a few times before cooling can help form those cracks.
Can I make this dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough actually benefits from resting overnight in the fridge, which can improve flavor and make the dough easier to scoop and shape. If chilling overnight, just let the dough come to room temperature a little before scooping for best results.
What type of molasses is best for these cookies?

I typically use regular unsulfured molasses for a balanced flavor—rich and sweet but not too bitter. Blackstrap molasses works too but has a stronger, more robust flavor that some find a bit intense, so go with what you prefer!
Can I substitute the spices?

Yes! You can tweak the spice mix to your preference—some like more cinnamon or adding cardamom. Just keep the total spice amount balanced so it doesn’t overpower the molasses flavor. Freshly ground spices always make a difference.

Final Thoughts

This Molasses Cookies with Crinkly Edges Recipe holds a special place in my baking rotation because it just feels like home every time I make it. There’s something magical about that mix of bold spices, rich molasses, and those charming crinkly edges that never fail to bring smiles. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself (and I won’t judge if you eat half the batch!), this recipe is sure to become a beloved favorite. So grab your mixing bowl, get cozy, and treat yourself to some seriously delightful cookies!