Grandma’s famous molasses cookies

These molasses cookies have been passed down from generation to generation in David Hallberg’s family. The molasses adds a rich, slightly smoky essence to the cookies and with the warming spices is very similar in flavour profile to gingerbread.

Credit: Jiwon Kim

• makes

  24

• prep

  10 minutes

• cook

  10 minutes

• difficulty

  Easy

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Ingredients

• 180 g butter, melted and cooled
• 1 cup white sugar, plus 1 cup extra, for rolling
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup dark molasses
• 2 cups plain flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp ground ginger

Chilling time: 2 hours

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, sugar, egg and vanilla and whisk well to combine. Mix through the molasses. In a second large bowl, combine the plain flour, bicarbonate soda, salt and ground spices. Whisk well to combine, then gradually stir into the molasses mixture to form a thick dough. Cover and refrigerate the dough for 2 hours before using.
   
2. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 170˚C (fan-forced). Line two large baking trays with baking paper. Place the extra cup of sugar in a small bowl and place on the side. Remove the chilled cookie dough from the refrigerator and roll into 30 g balls. Roll the cookie balls in the white sugar, turning to coat, then transfer onto the baking trays.
   
3. Bake for 8 – 10 minutes, or until the tops are cracked. Allow to cool for 3 minutes on the tray before cooling fully on a wire rack. Serve Grandma’s famous molasses cookies slightly warm.

Photography by Jiwon Kim.

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Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.

Stream free On Demand

Speed Date Dinners

episode • The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • 

cooking • 

25m

PG

episode • The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • 

cooking • 

25m

PG