The retro cookie festival continues! I say retro because I’m pretty much baking up a bunch of cookies from my gram’s recipe box. You can read more about that here, (and a few other places on this here website) but most of the cookie recipes I’m sharing are those from our Christmas family celebrations of my childhood.
In case you are just now tuning into this channel, I’ve teamed up with a bunch of super cool bloggers for The Sweetest Season Cookie Giveaway. We’re totally giving away some cool stuff and it’s not to late to enter! Do it!
I found this recipe in the box and don’t really remember having this cookie, but it looked like something Chris and his dad would like. I made it for them. I was right. I, of course, decided that a frosting was necessary.
Again. I was right.
SIDE NOTE: This picture needs an explanation. Jennifer. She has demanded requested more pictures of the steps. She has an appreciation for my accommodation to her demands and the time it takes to include these extra pics. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it now. Jennifer is a pain in my bum. 🙂 I’m clearly not good at action shots and photographing the hot mess at the same time. I tried. Don’t judge me.
We got sidetracked again. And by we, I mean me. And Jennifer. So this molasses sugar cookies recipe was in my gram’s recipe box, I didn’t remember it. It has the flavors and spirit of gingerbread. Chris, his dad, and brother all loved them.
We hope you do too!

Molasses Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
For the Molasses Sugar Cookies
- 3/4 cup shortening
- 1 cup sugar plus 2-3 tablespoons for rolling
- 1/4 dark molasses
- 1 egg room temperature
- 2 cups flour sifted
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
For the Frosting
- 2 cup confectioners sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons whole milk
- splash of vanilla bean paste
Instructions
For the Molasses Sugar Cookies
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Beat together shortening and sugar
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Add molasses and egg and beat well
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Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves together
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Add dry ingredients to molasses mixture, mix well
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Wrap in plastic or zipper bag and chill in refrigerator overnight
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Preheat oven to 375
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Roll into 1 inch balls
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Roll in sugar to coat
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Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart 8-10 minutes or until golden brown
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Cool a few minutes on baking sheet, then transfer to a rack to cool completely
For the Frosting
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Combine sugar, milk, and vanilla bean paste and stir with a fork until smooth
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Top each cookie with a spoonful of frosting
Note: If you roll your balls all the same size you should end up with about 3 dozen
I received free product from Imperial Sugar, Dixie Crystals and Bob’s Red Mill as part of The Sweetest Season Cookie Exchange. As always, all opinions and recipe are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Beer Girl Cooks!
Cookies three days in a row?! Who’s eating all these and why haven’t you sent me any? I love sugar cookies and the molasses addition sounds spectacular! And that action shot with the icing? Epic. 😉 cheers, doll!
OMG! I know! I’m totally out of control, Chey! Chris’ co-workers and Chris’ dad are the two major beneficiaries. I keep sending them out of this house! I think I ate 4 of those molasses last night. Jeeze! That action shot was totally for Jennifer to satisfy her demands (you’d love her) and made a hot mess! Come on over for some cookies! It’s not as if you are very far away! 🙂 Cheers! Xo
I love molasses cookies. They remind my of my childhood too. Your cookie series is making me very nostalgic. 😉
Gah, Linda! I’m so nostalgic right now too! Thanks, friend! 🙂
These look crazy awesome- molasses is the best. And a dollop of icing? YES.
Because icing makes everything better! Thanks, Medha! Good luck with exams!
Love cookies , especially this rime of the year! These look beautiful! Pinned!
Thanks, Mira! This is pretty much the only time of the year I make cookies. Thanks for the Pin!
I’m loving your pictures! And it’s not just because it’s a beautifully, scrumptious cookie! I’m glad you added the frosting!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Kathy! I always feel the most insecure about my pics! And isn’t frosting 100% a good idea?
That’s so fun that you’re baking your Grandma’s cookies! And yay for frosting! These look delicious, Rachelle!
Yay for frosting! Thanks, Gayle!
I love that you’re diving into your grandma’s recipe box! These cookies look absolutely incredible and that frosting… can I just drizzle that straight into my mouth?!
Thanks, Kathleen! I love my grandma’s recipe box! And frosting!
I’m loving all the cookie recipes! Please don’t stop!!!
Hahaha! I totally had to stop for the week. I got kind of carried away and exhausted myself!
Cookie mania! I love it. I politely request 12 more days of cookies, please. Straight of course. No breaks. Breaks are for losers. Santa needs his cookie inspiration this year…and I think he would really like these molasses cookies! Just sayin’. 🙂
It’s a little nuts over here, David! 12 more days? Straight with no breaks? Please send booze!