Date: December 20, 2024
, ,

Grandma's Molasses Cookie recipe

Get Social With Purple Iris Everywhere!

I felt my blog needed a molasses cookie recipe, so I dug through my grandma's and couldn't find one. Luckily, my husband’s family recipe box came to the rescue with Gramma Esther's Molasses Cookie recipe, from what I hear, it is always a hit!!

A plate of homemade molasses cookies stacked in a pile, with a handwritten recipe on brown paper in the background. The cookies are golden brown with a slightly cracked surface, reminiscent of Grandma’s classic treats.

When I started cooking my way through my Grandma’s recipe box, I had one simple goal: to honor her legacy by recreating the dishes that filled her kitchen. But as the seasons shifted, and fall gave way to winter, I realized something was missing—a molasses cookie recipe. I dug through hundreds of recipes but could not find one.

Molasses cookies are quintessentially Christmas. Yet, to my surprise, there wasn’t a single molasses cookie recipe in Grandma’s collection! Maybe it wasn’t her style, or maybe she just preferred other baked goods, I don't know. Either way, my blog felt it needed a molasses cookie recipe. Luckily, my husband’s family recipe box came to the rescue! Years ago, my mother in law hand wrote a collection of recipes into a book and gave it to all the grandchildren for Christmas. We love it and reference it often.

Finding the Perfect Molasses Cookie Recipe

Freshly baked molasses cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. The cookies are golden brown, reminiscent of Grandma's Cookies, with a textured surface suggesting a soft and chewy interior.

Why Molasses Cookies Deserve a Spot on the Blog

The instructions were simple, the ingredients classic, and the promise of warm, spiced cookies was enough to make me preheat the oven right then and there. I knew I had found the one.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure how these cookies would fit into a blog primarily inspired by my Grandma’s recipes. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that cooking and baking are about more than just sticking to tradition. They’re about sharing stories, finding new favorites, and celebrating the flavors that bring us comfort.

I will be honest, I was a little nervous since this was my first time making not just molasses cookies, but my husband grandmother's recipe....talk about pressure!! While these molasses cookies may not have come from my Grandma’s recipe box, they’ve found a place in my kitchen—and in my heart—thanks to my husband’s family.

The Recipe: Soft and Spiced Molasses Cookies

This handwritten molasses cookie recipe for Grandma Esther's cookies features sugar, rich molasses, and butter. With a blend of spices, follow the mixing and baking instructions at 350°F for 10-12 minutes to enjoy these delightful treats.

If you’re looking for a molasses cookie recipe that’s perfectly soft, delicately spiced, and packed with nostalgia, this is it. These cookies have a chewy center, and are deep and rich flavor that only molasses can deliver.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 c. sugar
  • 1/2c molasses
  • 1/2c butter
  • 1 egg
  • 2 c. flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp cloves
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 c milk

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (190°C).
  2. Mix ingredients and drop on a greased cookie sheet.
  3. Bake for 10-12 min.
  4. Roll and coat: This was my addition since it was not on the recipe card. After you scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar to coat and place on a greased cookie sheet or parchment prior to baking!

Make Them Your Own Tradition

These cookies may not have come from my Grandma’s recipe box, but I feel like they could have. They’re simple, timeless, and have amazing flavor—everything I love about classic recipes.

Molasses cookies are the kind of treat that brings people together, and this recipe is no exception. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a cozy family gathering, or just because, these cookies are sure to be a hit. And who knows? Maybe they’ll become a new tradition in your home.

Sometimes, the recipes that mean the most to us aren’t the ones we grew up with—they’re the ones we discover along the way. Grandma may not have made molasses cookies, but I think she’d approve of this recipe. After all, it’s not just about what’s written on the recipe card; it’s about the love of family, tradition, and the holidays.

If you’re looking for a new cookie to add to your collection, give this molasses cookie recipe a try. I’d love to hear how they turn out for you—share your photos and stories in the comments, or tag me on social media. Happy baking!

A plate of homemade molasses cookies stacked in a pile, with a handwritten recipe on brown paper in the background. The cookies are golden brown with a slightly cracked surface, reminiscent of Grandma’s classic treats.

Gramma Esther's Molasses Cookies

If you are looking for an amazing and flavorful molasses cookie, look no further. This recipe is from my husbands family and it is for sure a family favorite!
No ratings yet
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 c sugar
  • 1/2 c molasses
  • 1/2 c butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp clove
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 c milk
  • 2 c flour

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to to 350 degrees.
  • Mix ingrediants together.
  • Spoon dough in tablespoons and drop on greased cookie sheet, or do what I did and roll in sugar and bake on parchment.
  • Bake 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool and then enjoy!!

Video

@purpleiriseverywhere

Molasses cookies are the quintessential holiday cookie. When I decided that I needed to add a molasses cookie to my blog, I looked through my grandma's recipes and couldn't find one so I turned to my husband's family! Gramma Esther saving the day with this amazing Molasses cookies recipe. #molasses #baking #grandmasrecipe #cookies #Christmas

♬ Sleigh Bells (PhatCap! Trap Remix) - Ronettes
Keyword Christmas, Cookie, holiday, molasses
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Get Social With Purple Iris Everywhere!
Where to Dine Outdoors in Manhattan, KS: Local Patios You’ll Love
Outdoor Dining options in Manhattan, KS, is a fun way to enjoy dining in the area. There’s something about a warm evening in the Flint Hills that makes patio season feel like a whole event. Whether you're meeting friends in Aggieville, grabbing a casual dinner downtown, or sipping something cold as the sun sets, outdoor […]
Fairmont Park in Manhattan, Kansas
A Local Favorite, Fairmont Park in Manhattan, KS, is a local go-to for Trails, Views, and Off-Leash Fun If you’re searching for one of the best parks in Manhattan, KS, let me introduce you to a local favorite that quietly checks all the boxes head to Fairmont Park. Tucked into the east side of town, […]
Easter Egg Hunts for kids in Manhattan, KS
Updated List of local Easter Egg Hunts for kids and adults in Manhattan, KS Easter weekend is just around the corner, and Manhattan, Kansas, is buzzing with egg-citing events for all ages! Whether you're a parent planning a fun-filled day for your little ones, a college student seeking festive activities, or an adult looking for […]
1 2 3 4 150
Copyright © 2026 All Rights Reserved
crossmenu