Amish Molasses Cookies Recipe

Imagine the warm, inviting aroma of molasses cookies filling your kitchen as you welcome the holiday season. 

Amish Molasses Cookies, made from a classic recipe, are sure to delight your family and friends with their rich, sweet flavor, perfectly balanced by warm spices. 

These scrumptious treats are not only easy to make but also carry a unique taste that arises from the combination of molasses, sugar, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.

Whether you prefer your molasses cookies to be soft and chewy or slightly crisp, the choice is yours, and each version offers an outstanding taste with its signature depth of flavor.

How to Make Amish Molasses Cookies

Ingredients List

To make Amish Molasses Cookies, gather the following ingredients:

• Dry Ingredients
  • 3 cups flour (all-purpose flour)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• Wet Ingredients
  • 1 cup brown sugar (or granulated sugar for a lighter color)
  • 1 cup shortening or unsalted butter (for a richer flavor)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup molasses (choose from blackstrap, dark, or light molasses for varying depths of flavor)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Optional: buttermilk or milk (for a more complex flavor)

Step-by-step Process

Step 1: 

Preheat your oven to 375°F degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them.

Step 2: 

In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients – flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger. 

Set this flour mixture aside.

Step 3: 

In another bowl, cream together brown sugar and shortening (or butter) until they are well combined.

Step 4: 

Beat the egg into the sugar mixture. 

Then, add molasses and vanilla extract to the egg mixture and mix well.

Step 5: 

Gradually incorporate the dry mixture into the wet mixture, combining them until a cookie dough forms. 

If the dough is too dry or stiff, add a small amount of buttermilk or milk to achieve the desired consistency.

Step 6: 

Shape the dough into balls, using a tablespoon or your hands to portion them out evenly.

Step 7: 

Place the dough balls onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving sufficient space between them for expansion during baking.

Step 8: 

Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until they are firm to the touch but still soft in the center. 

Be mindful not to overbake the cookies, as they will continue to be set on the cookie sheet after being removed from the oven.

Step 9: 

Allow the cookies to cool for 10-15 minutes on the cookie sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Following these steps, you’ll have delicious Amish Molasses Cookies to enjoy with family and friends.

Side Dishes for Amish Molasses Cookies

Amish Molasses Cookies are a classic treat that tastes delicious with various side dishes. 

In this section, we will discuss some of the popular side dishes that complement the flavors of these cookies and make your snacking experience even richer.

Glass of Milk

A cold glass of milk is a perfect companion for Amish Molasses Cookies. 

The sweetness of the cookies, combined with the cool, refreshing milk, creates a delightful balance on your palate. 

Additionally, milk can help to cleanse the palate between bites and accentuate the rich molasses flavors of the cookies.

Fresh Fruit

Serving a variety of fresh fruits, such as seasonal berries or apple slices, alongside these Amish Molasses Cookies, adds a burst of natural goodness to indulge in with each bite. 

The tartness of the fruit pairs well with the sweetness of the cookies, and it also makes for a visually appealing presentation. 

Incorporating fresh fruit into your snack ensures you provide a healthy and delicious option for everyone to enjoy.

Ingredients Substitutes

When making Amish molasses cookies, you might not have all the ingredients on hand. 

In such cases, here are some substitutes that you can use for key ingredients.

Light Molasses

In case you don’t have dark molasses, you can use light molasses as an alternative. 

Although light molasses is milder in flavor compared to dark molasses, it should still work well in the recipe. 

If you want to enhance the robustness of the light molasses, consider adding a small amount of dark brown sugar or a pinch of extra ground spices like cinnamon, ginger, or cloves.

Granulated Sugar

If you’re out of brown sugar, you can use granulated sugar as a substitute. 

While granulated sugar doesn’t have the molasses content that brown sugar has, your cookies will still taste sweet and delicious. 

To make up for the missing molasses flavor, consider increasing the amount of molasses slightly in the recipe. 

Keep in mind that using granulated sugar may result in a lighter and slightly less moist cookie.

How to Store Amish Molasses Cookies

Storing Amish Molasses Cookies properly is crucial to maintain their flavor, texture, and freshness. 

Here are some strategies you can use to store your cookies effectively:

Airtight Container

Using an airtight container is a simple and effective method for storing Amish Molasses Cookies. 

Place a piece of parchment or wax paper between each layer of cookies to prevent them from sticking together. 

Seal the container tightly and store it at room temperature. 

This should keep your cookies fresh for up to a week.

Freezing

Freezing Amish Molasses cookies is another excellent way to preserve their quality for longer periods. 

To freeze your cookies, arrange them on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for about an hour. 

Once the cookies are frozen, transfer them into a freezer-safe airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. 

Remember to label the container with the date for future reference. 

When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply let the cookies thaw at room temperature for a few hours.

By following these storage methods, you can ensure that your Amish Molasses Cookies remain fresh and delicious. 

Always remember to use airtight containers and freeze the cookies if you plan to store them beyond a week.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when preparing Amish Molasses Cookies.

Not Preparing the Cookie Sheet Properly

One of the most common mistakes when making Amish Molasses Cookies is not preparing the cookie sheet properly. 

Make sure to line your baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them. 

This will prevent your cookies from sticking to the surface and will make it easier to remove them once they are baked.

Using Warm Baking Sheets

If your molasses cookies tend to go flat, it might be because you’re placing the dough on warm baking sheets. 

When the sheets are too warm, the butter in the dough starts melting before the rest of the cookie can set. 

Always let your pans cool down between batches to avoid this problem.

Not Paying Attention to the Intensity of Molasses

Molasses comes in different intensities, which can greatly affect the flavor of your cookies. 

Be sure to use the right intensity of molasses for the recipe, as it will give your cookies the desired taste and distinct color.

Overmixing the Dough

Overmixing the dough can lead to tough and dense cookies, so be careful when combining the wet and dry ingredients. 

Stir until just combined and avoid overworking the dough to maintain the desired texture.

Inaccurate Cookie Size

Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon ensures that your cookies are evenly sized, which helps them bake more evenly. 

Uneven-sized cookies can result in some being undercooked and others overcooked.

Not Giving the Cookies Enough Space on the Sheet

Amish Molasses Cookies will spread when baking, so it’s essential to space them out on your prepared sheets with parchment paper. 

Give them enough room to expand without touching each other, ensuring each cookie bakes evenly and doesn’t stick to its neighbors.