Soft Molasses Cookies (Galettes à la Mélasse)

Name: Soft Molasses Cookies (Galettes à la Mélasse)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 152 min
Yield: 24 cookies
Cuisine: Quebecois
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and levelled); 2 teaspoons baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup brown sugar (packed); 1 large egg; 1/4 cup fancy molasses; 1/4 cup granulated sugar

152 min 24 cookies Easy

All Recipes

Soft Molasses Cookies (Galettes à la Mélasse)

Experience the delightful chew of Québec's spiced molasses cookies, topped with sugar.

Prep

20 min

Cook

12 min

Total

152 min

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

Soft Molasses Cookies, or Galettes à la Mélasse, are a classic treat hailing from Québec. These cookies are known for their chewy texture, warm spices, and sugar-crusted tops. With the comforting aroma of molasses and spices wafting through your kitchen, they're the perfect companion to a hot cup of tea or coffee. The key to these cookies lies in the type of molasses used. Fancy molasses offers a milder, sweeter taste compared to blackstrap molasses, which can be quite robust and slightly bitter. This recipe celebrates the traditional flavours of Québec, creating a cookie that's both nostalgic and delicious.

Ingredients

Servings

Dry Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

For Rolling

Instructions

Mix dry ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.

Cream butter and sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Pro tip: Ensure the butter is well-softened for easy creaming.

Add egg and molasses

Beat in the egg and molasses until fully incorporated and smooth.

Pro tip: Use fancy molasses for a sweeter flavour.

Combine wet and dry ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.

Pro tip: Avoid over-mixing to ensure tender cookies.

Chill the dough

Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to 3 days.

Pro tip: Chilling helps the flavours meld and prevents spreading.

Preheat and prepare

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Shape and roll cookies

Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough, roll into balls, and coat in granulated sugar. Place on prepared baking sheets, spacing 5 cm (2 inches) apart.

Pro tip: Rolling in sugar adds an irresistible crunch.

Bake the cookies

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set and the centres are still soft. Do not overbake.

Pro tip: Pull them from the oven while the centres are soft for chewy cookies.

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Tips & Tricks

<ul><li>Use fancy molasses for a milder, sweeter flavour.</li><li>Chill the dough for at least 2 hours for easier handling.</li><li>Pull cookies from the oven while centres are soft for perfect texture.</li></ul>

Serving Suggestions

Serve these Soft Molasses Cookies with a steaming mug of your favourite hot beverage, such as coffee or tea, to balance their sweetness. They're perfect for a cozy afternoon snack or as a delightful addition to your holiday cookie platter. To make ahead, you can prepare the dough and keep it chilled for up to 3 days. The baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or frozen for up to 3 months, ensuring you always have a sweet treat on hand.