Ginger Molasses Orange Zest Cookies (Printable)

Chewy ginger molasses cookies feature bright orange zest for a flavorful twist on a classic sweet favorite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons ground ginger
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
05 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 - 2 teaspoons baking soda
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

08 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 1 cup brown sugar, packed
10 - 1/4 cup molasses (unsulphured)
11 - 1 large egg
12 - 2 teaspoons orange zest
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ For Rolling

14 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
03 - Beat softened butter and packed brown sugar in a large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
04 - Blend in molasses, egg, orange zest, and vanilla extract until smooth.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just incorporated.
06 - Scoop dough by tablespoon, shape into balls, and roll each ball in granulated sugar to coat.
07 - Place coated dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
08 - Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set and centers remain soft.
09 - Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses easy-to-find pantry staples so you can whip up a batch whenever the craving strikes
  • Soft and chewy thanks to molasses and brown sugar with a lovely crackled top
  • A hint of orange zest makes each bite feel festive and special
  • Ready in about thirty minutes from start to finish
02 -
  • Each cookie is naturally high in cozy spices and pairs perfectly with teatime
  • The dough freezes beautifully for make-ahead treats
  • Mixing in the orange zest when the butter is soft ensures the citrus oils are distributed in every bite
03 -
  • Take the time to beat butter and sugar well for maximum chewiness
  • Do not overbake. The cookies should look slightly underdone in the center when you pull them out. They finish setting as they cool
  • Rubbing the orange zest into the sugar before adding the rest of the ingredients blooms the oils and bumps up the flavor

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