Heavenly Molasses Snowball Cookies Recipe: Sweet Winter Magic

Sweet memories swirl around these delightful molasses snowball cookies that melt softly in your mouth.

Childhood whispers echo through every delicate crumb of this classic treat.

Warm spices dance between layers of buttery goodness, creating an irresistible aroma.

Powdered sugar coats each perfectly rounded morsel like a gentle winter embrace.

Baking these cookies feels like wrapping yourself in a cozy family tradition.

Simple ingredients transform into magic right before your eyes.

Come discover how just a few steps can bring pure joy to your kitchen.

Snowball Cookies That Come With a Molasses Kick

• Whip Up Holiday Comfort: These molasses snowball cookies deliver ultimate cozy winter vibes with warm spices that fill your kitchen with delightful aromas.
• Beginner Baker's Delight: The recipe requires basic mixing skills and straightforward steps, making it perfect for novice bakers wanting to create impressive treats without complicated techniques.
• Family Baking Adventure: Kids will love rolling dough into balls and helping dust cookies with powdered sugar, transforming baking into a fun, interactive family activity that creates lasting memories.
• Simple Ingredient Magic: Using common pantry staples like butter, flour, and spices, these cookies offer maximum flavor with minimal shopping effort, ensuring stress-free preparation for any skill level.

Molasses Snowball Cookies Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: Basic structure for the cookie dough.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread.
• Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves: Warm spices for rich flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste.

• Butter: Provides richness and tender texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep, caramel-like sweetness.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together.
• Molasses: Creates dark, deep flavor profile.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds classic sweet undertone.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates signature snowy white coating for cookies.

Rolling and Baking Molasses Snowball Cookies

Step 1: Whip Up the Cookie Base

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Cloves
• Salt

In a separate larger bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like mixture. Gently fold in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients, stirring until a soft, fragrant dough forms.

Step 2: Chill and Relax the Dough

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This allows the flavors to mingle and the dough to firm up perfectly.

Step 3: Prepare the Baking Station

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a welcoming surface for your cookie balls.

Step 4: Shape the Snowball Cookies

Roll the chilled dough into adorable 1-inch balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, giving each cookie enough space to spread and dance.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for set edges and soft centers – the hallmark of a perfectly baked cookie.

Step 6: Cool and Dress Up

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, transform them into snowy delights by dusting generously with powdered sugar using a sifter or fine mesh strainer.

Cookie Tips That Keep Molasses Snowballs Soft

• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading and enhance the cookie's flavor and texture.
• Roll Evenly: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform 1-inch balls for consistent baking and professional-looking results.
• Soften Butter Correctly: Allow butter to sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, ensuring it's soft but not melted for the ideal cookie consistency.
• Control Sugar Dusting: Dust cookies when completely cool to prevent sugar from melting and to achieve that classic powdery snowball appearance.
• Store with Care: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture.

Save Molasses Snowball Cookies Easily

• Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Warm cookies at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore their soft texture. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out.
• Keep at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Molasses Snowball Cookies Treat Suggestions

• Pair with Dark Roast Coffee: Rich, bold coffee complements the warm spices and deep molasses flavor, creating a comforting winter morning treat.
• Serve with Spiced Chai Latte: The aromatic tea's cardamom and cinnamon notes harmonize perfectly with the cookie's warm spice profile, enhancing each bite's complexity.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy, smooth vanilla provides a cool contrast to the cookie's dense, spicy texture, balancing the robust molasses undertones.
• Enjoy with Mulled Wine: The warm, spiced wine echoes the cookie's cinnamon and ginger notes, delivering a cozy, festive dessert experience that warms from within.

Molasses Snowball Cookie Combos

• Gluten-Free Molasses Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, ensuring the same soft texture and rich molasses flavor.
• Vegan Spice Snowballs: Swap butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and select plant-based brown sugar to create a dairy-free and egg-free version.
• Reduced Sugar Molasses Treats: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and decrease molasses amount to lower overall sugar content while maintaining classic spice profile.
• Nutty Crunch Variation: Incorporate finely chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough for added texture and a subtle nutty undertone that complements the warm spices.

FAQs

• Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling helps the butter solidify and prevents cookies from spreading too thin during baking. It also allows spices to blend and intensify, creating a more robust flavor profile.

• Can I substitute the spices?

Yes, you can adjust spices to your taste. If you don’t have ground ginger or cloves, use pumpkin pie spice or increase cinnamon. Ensure the total spice quantity remains consistent.

• How do I know when the cookies are done?

The edges should look set and slightly golden, while the centers remain soft. They’ll continue cooking slightly on the hot baking sheet after removal from the oven, so don’t overbake.

• What makes these cookies different from traditional snowball cookies?

These cookies use molasses, which adds a deep, rich sweetness and darker color compared to classic snowball cookies. The spices give them a warm, holiday-like flavor reminiscent of gingerbread.

Molasses Snowball Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
• Yield: 36 1x

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Description

Sweet memories melt into these molasses snowball cookies, offering a nostalgic winter treat that dances between spicy warmth and sugary comfort. Rich with deep molasses and rolled in powdered sugar, these delicate cookies invite you to savor a moment of pure, homemade bliss.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups (532 ml) all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) molasses
• 1 large egg

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Finishing Ingredient:

• Powdered sugar, for dusting
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Craft a delicate blend of dry ingredients by whisking flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt in a medium mixing vessel.
2. In a spacious bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency, incorporating egg, molasses, and vanilla extract with smooth, rhythmic motions.
3. Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, creating a soft, cohesive dough that promises rich, spiced flavor.
4. Encase the dough in plastic wrap and allow it to rest and chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 60 minutes, enabling the spices to meld and the texture to firm.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper, preparing a pristine surface for cookie formation.
6. Extract the chilled dough and delicately roll it into uniform 1-inch spheres, positioning them with ample spacing on the prepared baking sheets.
7. Slide the cookie-laden sheets into the preheated oven, baking for 10-12 minutes until the edges achieve a set appearance while maintaining a tender center.
8. Allow the freshly baked cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, initiating the cooling process.
9. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack, permitting complete cooling and preventing moisture accumulation.
10. Once thoroughly cooled, generously dust the cookies with a veil of powdered sugar, creating a festive, snow-kissed appearance using a sifter or fine mesh strainer.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the perfect round shape during baking.
• Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and smoother cookie texture.
• Measure flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling with a knife to avoid dense, dry cookies.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version without compromising taste or texture.

• Prep Time: 75 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 36
• Calories: 126
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg