These are the ultimate soft and chewy gingerbread sugar cookies made without molasses. They’re thick, sweet, and so easy to make with no chill time. Seriously, the best gingerbread cookies ever. Perfect for the Holidays!
The best soft gingerbread sugar cookies without molasses
Most gingerbread cookie recipes call for molasses, but it’s not a common baking ingredient for most households. That’s why I developed this super easy, no-chill, soft, and chewy gingerbread cookie recipe for you made with NO molasses. It’s crazy how delicious these cookies are. These are my #1 favorite cookies next to these chewy snickerdoodles and these chocolate chip sugar cookies.
I must admit, everyone who’s tried these cookies says they’re better than classic recipes! Why? Well, to start, they are not thin and crispy like most gingerbread men. These cookies are next-level delicious since they are super thick, soft, and chewy. They are similar to a thick sugar cookie or pillowy Snickerdoodle. SO GOOD!
I am obsessed with these cookies, as I am sure you can already tell. They literally melt in your mouth and have the perfect soft, gooey centers and crisp, browned edges. Plus, we use maple syrup and brown sugar instead of molasses. Honestly, they taste like Christmas in a cookie.
The best thing about these cookies is that you don’t need to CHILL the dough! It’s perfection… you’ll be in and out of the kitchen in 25 minutes! I cannot wait to hear what you think of these incredible cookies.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- No Molasses: There is no molasses in these delicious gingerbread cookies.
- Pillowy & Chewy: The cookies are super thick, soft, and chewy.
- No Chilling: You don’t need to chill the dough!
- Quick & Easy: Easily make these festive cookies in under 25 minutes.
- Perfect for the Holidays: They taste like Christmas.
- Sugar Crust: The centers are super soft with a sugar coating!
- Try these thick and chewy snickerdoodles next! One of my favorite recipes.
Ingredients needed
Trust me when I say these are the BEST gingerbread cookies you’ll ever eat. Best of all, you don’t need molasses to make them. Here is a list of everything you need so you are prepared, but remember to scroll to the bottom of this page to get the exact measurements:
- Flour: I used all-purpose flour for these cookies.
- Spices: You’ll need a mixture of ground ginger, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice to flavor these delicious gingerbread sugar cookies. The pumpkin pie spice is my secret ingredient.
- Salt: For that perfect sweet and salty combo that everyone loves.
- Baking Soda: This helps the cookies rise. Don’t substitute baking soda with baking powder; they are different.
- Butter: To make these gingerbread cookies extra soft and chewy. I used unsalted butter, but you can use salted butter, too – just don’t add extra salt to the dry ingredients.
- Sugars: You need light brown sugar to sweeten these cookies and granulated sugar to roll them in before baking.
- Egg: You only need 1 egg for these gingerbread cookies. It helps hold them together and gives them a nice, chewy texture.
- Maple Syrup: We replace molasses with maple syrup in these gingerbread cookies. It adds sweetness and helps achieve the perfect soft and chewy cookie texture.
Kitchen tools needed
These gingerbread cookies are very easy to make and call for standard baking supplies. Here is a list of kitchen utensils you will need so you are prepared:
- Two Rimmed Baking Sheets
- 2 Mixing Bowls
- Stand Mixer or Electric Hand Mixer
- Parchment Paper
- Measuring Tools: 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.
How to make soft gingerbread cookies without molasses
These thick and chewy gingerbread cookies without molasses are super easy to make in under 20 minutes; you don’t need to chill the dough. Here are step-by-step directions with pictures for visual reference. The full recipe and ingredient measurements are at the bottom of this page in the recipe card.
Step 1:
First, preheat the oven to 350°F and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Then, set it to the side while you make the cookie dough.
Step 2:
Next, mix all your dry ingredients (the flour, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt) in a medium mixing bowl and set to the side.
Step 3:
Now, in a stand mixer (with the paddle attachment) or using an electric handheld mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar until it’s thoroughly combined, fluffy, and creamy. It should take about 1 – 2 minutes. Make sure to scrape the sides and bottom.
Then, add the egg and beat on medium until combined. After that, add the maple syrup and beat until combined. Be careful not to overbeat.
Step 4:
Now, add the dry ingredients to the mixing bowl on low in 2 – 3 increments so the flour doesn’t spill everywhere.
Step 5:
Then, using a cooking scooper, portion out about 1.5 Tablespoons of dough for each cookie. Then, gently roll the dough balls in sugar. Evenly, space them out on your lined cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. This recipe makes about 24 – 26 cookies.
Step 6:
Finally, bake for 8 – 10 minutes until puffed up. The cookies should look slightly underbaked, puffy, and soft. The bottoms will be golden, and the tops should be ever-so-slightly crisp. The cookies will collapse as they cool. Allow cookies to cool for 10 minutes on the cookie sheet, then transfer them to a wire rack.
Expert baking tips & tricks
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for proper creaming, resulting in soft cookie dough. Avoid using cold ingredients to prevent increased baking time and dry cookies.
- Consider Pumpkin Pie Spice: Add 1/4 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice for enhanced flavor (optional but recommended) in these gingerbread cookies.
- Remove Cookies Early: These molasses-free cookies should appear slightly underdone, puffy, and soft when taken out of the oven. They will collapse as they cool, achieving the perfect soft and chewy texture.
- Check Baking Soda Expiry: Verify the expiration date of your baking soda. If expired or open for over six months, your cookies may turn out flat. Note the opening date on the box to ensure freshness and proper cookie rise.
- Freeze the Dough: Make life easier by preparing extra gingerbread cookie dough and freezing it in ready-to-bake portions. When the sweet tooth strikes, simply take out the frozen dough, ensuring it’s well-wrapped for freshness, and enjoy freshly baked cookies in no time.
Easy ingredient substitutions:
Here is a list of the best ingredient substitutions for these gingerbread cookies without molasses. I only recommend swapping 1 – 2 ingredients so the original recipe doesn’t completely change.
- Light Brown Sugar: You can use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar.
- Unsalted Butter: You can use salted butter, but don’t add extra salt to the dry ingredients.
- Maple Syrup: You can also use honey.
- Nutmeg: If necessary, you can use ground cinnamon instead of nutmeg.
- White Sugar: You can also roll the cookies in coconut sugar.
How to make homemade gingerbread spice:
Here is a simple recipe to make your own gingerbread spice at home. Mix all the ingredients together, and then feel free to use this recipe to flavor baked goods, coffee, oatmeal, yogurt, muffins, and pancakes.
- 3 tablespoons of ground ginger
- 1.5 teaspoons of ground cloves
- 1.5 teaspoons of ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
Frequently Asked Questions
What do these cookies taste like?
These gingerbread cookies without molasses taste like a classic gingerbread man. They are sweet, ginger spiced, and buttery. The primary flavors come from ground ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
Do I need to chill the cookie dough?
No, you do not need to chill the cookie dough for this gingerbread cookie recipe. You will be in and out of the kitchen in 20 minutes!
Why are the cookies so pale?
Classic gingerbread cookies and gingerbread men are colored with dark molasses syrup. Since there is no molasses in this gingerbread cookie recipe, these cookies are much lighter and paler. Don’t worry the flavor is the same!
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
I have not tested this recipe with gluten-free flour; however, if you would like to make these gingerbread sugar cookies without molasses gluten-free, I reccomend using this brand of gluten-free 1:1 baking flour. It is the best substitute for all-purpose flour.
What’s the best substitute for maple syrup?
The best substitute for maple syrup is honey. For these cookies, make sure to use room-temperature honey.
Why are my cookies flat?
If your cookies are flat, one of two things may have occurred: (1) your baking soda was expired, or (2) your butter and eggs were not at room temperature. Make sure to use room-temperature ingredients when baking!
Why is my cookie dough dry and crumbly?
I have tested this recipe dozens of times and found two things that may cause dry and crumbly cookie dough. First, make sure your butter is at room temperature so it can properly cream together with the brown sugar. I like to leave my butter sticks out for a few hours before making these cookies.
Second, try to use a stand mixer for the best results. An electric hand mixer works too, but you may need to increase the time you beat the butter and sugar by a minute to ensure they are fully creamed together. If they are partially combined, the dry ingredients will not incorporate properly, and your dough won’t be soft.
How to store and freeze:
Storing: For best results, store leftover gingerbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 – 7 days.
Freezing: Add your cooled gingerbread cookies to a freezer-safe plastic bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let them thaw or slightly reheat them in the microwave before enjoying them.
If you love this recipe, try these cookies next!
- Chewy Coffee Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar
- Oat Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Healthy Salted Cowboy Cookies
- Healthy Sugar Cookies
- Snickerdoodles without Cream of Tartar
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
Gingerbread Cookies Without Molasses
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled
- 2 ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice, optional but highly recommend
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 12 tbsp unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (very important)
- 1 cup brown sugar (I used light), packed
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ¼ cup maple syrup, room temperature
- 2 – 3 tbsp white sugar, for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Set to the side.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt. Set to the side.
- In a stand mixer (with the paddle attachment) or using an electric handheld mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar until it’s fully combined, fluffy, and creamy. It should take about 1 – 2 minutes. Make sure to scrape the sides and bottom. Add the egg and beat on medium until combined. Then, add the maple syrup and beat until combined. Be careful not to overbeat.
- Add the dry ingredients to the mixing bowl on low in 2 – 3 increments, so the flour doesn’t spill everywhere.
- Using a cooking scooper, portion out about 1.5 Tablespoons of dough for each cookie. Then, gently roll the dough balls in sugar. Evenly space them out on your lined cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. This recipe makes about 24 – 26 cookies.
- Bake for 8 – 10 minutes until puffed up. The cookies should look slightly underbaked, puffy, and soft. The bottoms will be golden, and the tops should be ever-so-slightly crisp. The cookies will collapse as they cool. Allow cookies to cool for 10 minutes on the cookie sheet, then transfer them to a wire rack.
Notes
Nutrition
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Allison Huggs says
SO YUMMY!!! they are like soft sugar cookies but taste like gingerbread. So easy to make too. Going to be making these all winter long!
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Allison! So happy to hear this. Gingerbread is the best and what better way to enjoy it but in sugar cookie form!
Shezin says
Hi,
Really liked your recipe. Can I make it as a ginger bread man cookie with this?
Hadil G says
It’s so hard to find good legitimate recipes online for cookies that always turn out amazing and omg… the best cookies I’ve ever had. I never leave a comment but I just had to. These are honestly amazing and I’m only going to follow your recipes from now on <3 (also I added just a little bit more ginger and they smell and taste amazing!)