Comfort Food

Molasses Snowball Cookies

By Emma :

Everyday Culinary Delights👩‍🍳

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Molasses Snowball Cookies

There’s something magical about the holidays—twinkling lights, cozy gatherings, and treats that taste like love. These Molasses Snowball Cookies perfectly embody that festive feeling! With warm spices, rich molasses, and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar, these cookies are like little snowflakes of flavor that melt in your mouth. Whether you’re sharing them at a cookie exchange or gifting them to friends, they’re guaranteed to be a hit. Let’s dive into how to make these wintery delights!

Psst… don’t miss out on future festive recipes! Subscribe to receive them directly in your inbox, and let’s bake something sweet together this holiday season. 🎅✨

Why You’ll Love These Molasses Snowball Cookies

  • Festive and Beautiful: These cookies look like snowy delights with their powdered sugar dusting.
  • Perfectly Spiced: A blend of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves adds warmth and coziness to every bite.
  • Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: Slightly crisp edges and soft centers make for an irresistible combination.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: They store beautifully, and their flavor only gets better over time!
  • Gift-Worthy Treat: Pack them in decorative tins, and you have the perfect holiday gift.

Ingredients for Molasses Snowball Cookies

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting

Tools You’ll Need

Ingredient Substitutions and Additions

  • Brown Butter: Swap regular butter with brown butter for an extra nutty flavor.
  • Spice Twist: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for a unique spice blend.
  • Whole Wheat Flour: Replace part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for a slightly heartier texture.
  • Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies celiac-friendly.

How to Make Molasses Snowball Cookies

Molasses Snowball Cookies cooking

1. Prepare the Dough

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.

2. Chill the Dough

Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough makes it easier to work with and helps the cookies retain their round shape while baking.

3. Shape the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.

4. Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain slightly soft. Allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. Dust with Powdered Sugar

Once the cookies are fully cooled, use a sifter or fine mesh strainer to generously dust them with powdered sugar. This gives them their classic snowball look—so festive!

What to Serve with Molasses Snowball Cookies

Molasses Snowball Cookies make it

  • Hot Cocoa: The cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of cocoa topped with whipped cream.
  • Chai Latte: Their spiced flavors complement the aromatic spices of chai perfectly.
  • Vanilla Ice Cream: For a holiday twist, serve these snowballs with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast.

Tips for Perfect Snowball Cookies

  • Don’t Skip the Chill: Chilling the dough ensures the cookies don’t spread too much and stay perfectly round.
  • Slightly Underbake: For the softest centers, pull the cookies out of the oven while they still look a little underdone—they’ll firm up as they cool.
  • Even Dusting: Make sure the cookies are completely cooled before dusting with powdered sugar to prevent it from melting.
  • Storage Tip: Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to a week—bonus, their flavors deepen over time!

How to Store Molasses Snowball Cookies

  • Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
  • Freeze for Later: Freeze the cookies (undusted) in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving for the freshest look.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. If freezing, wrap it tightly in plastic and store it for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.

What type of molasses should I use?

Use unsulphured molasses for the best flavor—it’s sweet without being overpowering. Avoid blackstrap molasses, as it can be too bitter for cookies.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe is easy to scale up if you need a larger batch for gifting or holiday parties.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend to make these snowballs celiac-friendly.

A Festive Finish – Share the Joy! 🎁

These Molasses Snowball Cookies are everything you want in a holiday treat—spiced, sweet, and absolutely stunning with their powdered sugar dusting. Whether you’re adding them to your holiday cookie platter or wrapping them up as gifts, they’ll add a touch of warmth and sweetness to any celebration.

I’d love to hear how your cookies turn out! Leave a comment below, share a picture on Pinterest, and tag me so I can see your beautiful snowballs in action. Happy baking and happy holidays! 🎄🍪

Nutritional Information (Per Cookie)

  • Calories: 120
  • Fat: 6g
  • Carbohydrates: 16g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Sugar: 10g

Looking for more holiday inspiration? Check out these festive recipes:

Let’s keep the holiday magic going with more recipes that sparkle and shine. Happy baking! 🎅✨

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Molasses Snowball Cookies

Molasses Snowball Cookies


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  • Author: Emma
  • Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Molasses Snowball Cookies are spiced holiday treats dusted with powdered sugar for a snowy, festive look. With warm molasses and fragrant spices, these soft cookies melt in your mouth. They’re easy to make, store beautifully, and make great gifts for friends and family.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions

  • Prepare the dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, mixing well. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
  • Chill the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • Shape the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the sheets, leaving 2 inches between each cookie.
  • Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Dust with powdered sugar: Once fully cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar using a sifter or fine mesh strainer for the snowball effect.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough ensures the cookies keep their shape.
  • For softer cookies, underbake them slightly; they’ll firm up as they cool.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
  • For longer storage, freeze the cookies (undusted) and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 120
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 75mg
  • Fat: 6g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 16g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg

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