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Molasses Ginger Clove Cookies

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Submitted by harryj

Soft molasses drop cookies spiced with warming ginger and cloves that stay moist and chewy when you don’t overbake them. Classic old-fashioned cookies made without eggs for a simple, reliable recipe.

YIELD

4 servings

PREP

20 min

COOK

10 min

READY

30 min

These cookies smell like grandma’s kitchen in December.

Molasses gives them that deep, almost caramel-like sweetness while ground ginger and cloves bring the warmth. The dough comes together fast without any eggs, just vegetable shortening whipped with sugar and molasses before the dry ingredients get mixed in with warm water.

The secret to keeping them soft is pulling them from the oven when they still look barely set. They’ll firm up as they cool but stay tender in the middle.

Pro Tips

  • Use warm water, not hot. Too-hot water can start cooking the dough and make the cookies tough.
  • Don’t overbake these. Pull them when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly underdone. They continue baking on the hot sheet.
  • Space cookies 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. They spread as they bake and need room to breathe.
  • Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread. The bread keeps the cookies soft and moist for days.

Kitchen Variations

  • Cinnamon Swap: Use ground cinnamon instead of cloves for a milder, sweeter spice profile that kids often prefer.
  • Crystallized Ginger: Fold in ½ cup chopped crystallized ginger for bursts of intense ginger flavor and chewy texture.
  • Sugar Coating: Roll the dough balls in granulated sugar before baking for a sparkly, slightly crunchy exterior.

Ingredients

1 237
1 237
CUP ML SUGAR
1 237
CUP ML MOLASSES
4 946
2 10
TEASPOONS ML BAKING SODA
1 5
TEASPOON ML GINGER
ground
½ 2.5
TEASPOON ML CLOVES
or cinnamon, ground
½ 2.5
TEASPOON ML SALT
1 237
CUP ML WATER
warm

Directions

Cream shortening and sugar.

Blend in molasses.

Sift together flour, soda, ginger, cloves and salt.

Add to creamed mixture alternately with warm water.

Drop by teaspoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto greased baking sheet.

Bake at 375℉ (190℃) F for 8 to 10 minutes.

Don’t over-bake and cookies will be moist and soft.

* not incl. in nutrient facts Arrow up button

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 321g (11.3 oz)
Amount per Serving
Calories 893 1% from fat
 % Daily Value *
Total Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 605mg 25%
Total Carbohydrate 70g 70%
Dietary Fiber 3g 14%
Sugars g
Protein 26g
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 20% Iron 55%
* based on a 2,000 calorie diet How is this calculated?
Low Fat, Low in Saturated Fat, Low Cholesterol, Cholesterol-Free, Trans-fat Free, Good source of fiber
 

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