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–+ servings

Spiced Molasses Cookies

Print Recipe
Cayenne adds a surprising warm touch of heat to these deliciously spiced molasses cookies.
Course Desserts & Sweet Treats
Cuisine American
Keyword baking, Christmas, cookies, holiday baking, holiday recipe, molasses
Prep Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Additional Time 47 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings 24 cookies
Calories 187
Author Laurie McNamara

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground clove
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/2 cup turbinado sugar

FOR THE VANILLA GLAZE

  • 1½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • whole milk as needed
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

MAKE THE COOKIES:

  • In a small saucepan melt the 3/4 stick of unsalted butter over low. Let cool.
  • Pour the cooled, melted butter into a medium bowl. Add the sugar, molasses and one egg. Stir until smooth.
  • In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, ground cloves, ginger, cayenne and ground cardamom. Stir and then add it to the molasses mixture in thirds. Stir until combined.
  • Cover and refrigerate dough for 1 hour.
  • Preheat your oven to 375°.
  • Remove and use a 2 tablespoon scoop and roll into the turbinado sugar and place two inches apart on a lined, rimmed baking sheet.
  • Bake in your preheated oven for 7 to 8 minutes until the edges of the cookies are golden and the tops have crackled.
  • Let the baked cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Make glaze and drizzle over cooled cookies.

MAKE THE VANILLA GLAZE:

  • Combine the powdered sugar, salt, corn syrup and butter into a medium bowl or liquid measuring cup. Thin out with a little milk until it reaches the desired consistency. Add in the vanilla extract and whisk until smooth.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 158mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 211IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg