Old-Fashioned Molasses Cookies: A Sweet Taste of Tradition

Every family has those recipes that feel like a time machine—one bite, and suddenly you’re back in your grandmother’s kitchen. For me, that’s molasses cookies. I can still remember the smell filling the house around the holidays, the warm spices drifting from the oven, and the sugar-coated tops glistening like fresh snow. These cookies weren’t just dessert; they were tradition.

The History of Molasses Cookies

Molasses cookies have a long and fascinating history. They trace their roots back to Europe, where spiced biscuits were popular as early as the Middle Ages. When colonists came to America, they brought these recipes with them—but they quickly adapted them using local ingredients. Molasses, a byproduct of sugar refining, was cheap, plentiful, and added a deep, rich sweetness that paired perfectly with cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.

By the 1700s, molasses had become a staple in colonial American kitchens, used in everything from baked beans to gingerbread. These spiced molasses cookies became a family favorite, especially in New England and the Midwest, where settlers baked them as affordable treats during long winters. Over time, they grew into a holiday classic—something warm, fragrant, and just sweet enough to remind families of home, no matter how far they’d traveled.

Grandma’s Molasses Cookies Recipe

This recipe has been passed down in my family for generations. They’re soft, chewy, and lightly spiced—perfect with a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of milk.

Ingredients

• 1 cup shortening*

• 1 cup sugar (plus a little more for rolling)

• 1 egg

• 1 cup molasses

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 4 ½–5 cups flour (or more as needed)

• ½ tsp cloves

• ½ tsp ginger

• 3 ½ tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Cream together the shortening and sugar.

2. Add egg, molasses, and buttermilk; mix until combined.

3. Sift together flour, cloves, ginger, baking soda, and cinnamon. Add to wet ingredients and stir until a soft dough forms.

4. Chill the dough for at least 2 hours.

5. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a baking sheet or line with parchment paper.

6. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll in sugar to coat.

7. Place on baking sheet and bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are set.

*Tip: For richer flavor, you can substitute part or all of the shortening with butter.

Why Molasses Cookies Belong on Every Holiday Table

Molasses cookies aren’t just nostalgic—they’re practical, too. The dough can be chilled ahead of time, making them an easy bake for busy holiday weeks. Their long shelf life also made them popular in the past, when families needed treats that would last through cold winters. Best of all, their warm spices and chewy texture make them timeless.

If you’ve never made molasses cookies before, give this recipe a try. They might just become a tradition in your home, too.