Brown Butter Ginger Molasses Cookies

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-24 · Updated 2026-05-24

Spiced molasses cookies enriched with nutty brown butter and the warm zing of fresh ginger, baked to a chewy, fragrant perfection. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 32 minutes, layers unsalted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 110 calories and feeds 24, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger root
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, melt 1 cup unsalted butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling frequently, until the butter foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1 large egg, and 1/4 cup molasses until smooth. Stir in the cooled brown butter and 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger root.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, sift together 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground cloves, and 1/2 tsp salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
4. Step 4: Cover dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each in 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet 2 inches apart.
6. Step 6: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.