Name: Molasses White Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 23 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup Butter (barely softened, cut into cubes); 1 1/3 cups Sugar; 1 large Egg; 1 large Egg Yolk; 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract; 1/3 cup Molasses; 2 2/3 cups Flour; 1 teaspoon Baking Soda; 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder; 1 teaspoon Salt (if using salted butter, reduce to 1/2 teaspoon); 1 teaspoon Cinnamon; 1 1/2 teaspoons Ginger; 1/2 teaspoon Cloves; pinch Cayenne Pepper; 2 cups White Chocolate Chunks or Chips; 1/4 cup Sugar (for rolling the dough balls)

Jump to Recipe· 4.1 from 59 reviews

If you are craving a cookie that perfectly balances bold spices and sweet decadence, this Molasses White Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. Imagine bites of chewy molasses-infused dough generously studded with creamy white chocolate chunks that melt in your mouth. These cookies bring together the warmth of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves with just the right hint of cayenne to elevate every bite. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or sharing with friends, this is a treat that never fails to impress and satisfy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows seven soft cookies spread on a wooden surface with a warm brown tone. Each cookie has a light brown base with a slightly rough texture and is studded with white chocolate chips and larger white chocolate chunks that have a smooth and shiny surface. Two of the cookies are partially broken, revealing a soft interior with a chewy texture. Around the cookies, there are a few cinnamon sticks and a light dusting of cinnamon powder adding an earthy red color contrast. The scene is bright with natural lighting that highlights the textures and colors, making the cookies look fresh and inviting photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The magic of this Molasses White Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe lies in a handful of simple, classic ingredients that come together beautifully. Each component plays an essential role, crafting the cookie’s rich flavor, wonderful texture, and inviting color.

Butter (1 cup, barely softened, cut into cubes): Gives the cookies a tender crumb and rich flavor.
Sugar (1 1/3 cups): Adds sweetness and helps create the perfect chewy texture.
Egg (1 large) and Egg Yolk (1 large): Help bind ingredients and add moisture for softness.
Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the sweetness and complements the spices.
Molasses (1/3 cup): The star ingredient that adds depth, color, and a hint of smoky sweetness.
Flour (2 2/3 cups): The base, providing structure for these substantial cookies.
Baking Soda (1 teaspoon) and Baking Powder (1/2 teaspoon): Ensure a nice rise and lightness.
Salt (1 teaspoon or 1/2 teaspoon if using salted butter): Balances the sweetness and enhances the spices.
Cinnamon (1 teaspoon), Ginger (1 1/2 teaspoons), Cloves (1/2 teaspoon), Cayenne (pinch): These spices add cozy warmth and a little zing.
White Chocolate Chunks or Chips (2 cups): Melt into pockets of creamy sweetness throughout the cookies.

How to Make Molasses White Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugar

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until they are light, fluffy, and pale in color—about four minutes. This process traps air and gives the cookies a beautifully soft texture. Next, add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla, mixing these in until fully incorporated. Finally, stir in the molasses, which provides that signature rich flavor and gorgeous color to the dough.

Step 2: Combining the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. These spices are the secret to the cookie’s warm, inviting aroma and taste that gently brighten the molasses base.

Step 3: Mixing Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough. Over-mixing can lead to tougher cookies, so stop as soon as there are no flour streaks visible.

Step 4: Adding White Chocolate

Fold in the white chocolate chunks or chips carefully. This step makes sure every bite will have those luscious pockets of melted white chocolate that contrast perfectly with the spiced dough. Save a handful of chunks for garnishing later—this little detail adds a gourmet touch.

Step 5: Shaping and Sugar Coating

Pour about 1/4 cup of sugar into a small bowl. Roll your cookie dough into balls, then gently roll each ball in the sugar until fully coated. This extra step adds a subtle crunchy sweetness to the cookie crust, enhancing both flavor and texture.

Step 6: Baking

Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving some space for spreading. Bake for 10 to 13 minutes until the edges look set but the center is still slightly soft. For an eye-catching finish, immediately upon removing the cookies from the oven, press a few of the reserved white chocolate chunks onto the tops. This melts slightly and looks absolutely irresistible.

How to Serve Molasses White Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe

A close-up of a brown cookie held by a woman's hand with a bite taken from the right side, showing a soft texture inside. The cookie's top layer has several large white chocolate chunks and small white chocolate chips spread evenly. In the background, there are more cookies on a white marbled surface, some with cinnamon sticks nearby, with a slightly blurred effect to keep focus on the cookie in the woman's hand. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To turn these cookies into a full sensory experience, try a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate over the top. Adding a sprinkle of sea salt can also elevate the sweetness and highlight the spices brilliantly.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a warm cup of chai tea or rich hot chocolate to echo the spices in the cookies themselves. Alternatively, a scoop of vanilla ice cream beside a slightly warm cookie transforms this treat into a perfect dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

For a stunning presentation, stack the cookies and tie them with rustic twine or place them in a glass jar for gifting. You might also use cookie cutters to shape the dough before baking for festive occasions, making this Molasses White Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe even more fun to share.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cookies keep wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. To maintain their fresh-baked softness, place a slice of bread in the container—the cookies will absorb the moisture gently from the bread without becoming soggy.

Freezing

You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking by rolling and sugar-coating them, then placing them on a baking sheet to freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag, and bake from frozen—adding a couple more minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies freeze well too; just thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

To revive the fresh-from-the-oven feel, warm cookies in a low-temperature oven (about 300 degrees) for 5 to 7 minutes. This softens the dough and gently re-melts the white chocolate, making each bite taste freshly baked all over again.

FAQs

Can I substitute white chocolate with regular chocolate?

Absolutely! While white chocolate provides a creamy sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the molasses and spices, semi-sweet or milk chocolate would create a richer, deeper flavor profile. Just be mindful the cookie’s flavor will shift accordingly.

What if I don’t have molasses? Can I substitute it?

Molasses is key for that distinct flavor and moisture, but if you’re out, you can try using dark corn syrup or a mixture of brown sugar and honey. These won’t replicate the exact taste but will preserve the cookie’s softness and sweetness.

Are these cookies crunchy or chewy?

This Molasses White Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe is designed to deliver a perfect chewiness with slightly crisp edges—a balance that makes them so addictive to eat. Baking slightly less will result in a softer cookie, while baking a bit longer will give more crunch.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

With some adjustments, yes! Replace butter with vegan margarine or coconut oil and use a flax egg or commercial egg replacer. Also, opt for dairy-free white chocolate chips to keep the integrity of the recipe intact.

How do the spices affect the flavor?

The spices add a warm, aromatic background that gives the cookie its unique character—the cinnamon and ginger introduce warmth, cloves provide a subtle bitterness, and cayenne offers a surprising little kick that brightens the sweetness from the molasses and white chocolate.

Final Thoughts

You really can’t go wrong with this Molasses White Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe. It’s got everything: rich, spicy, sweet, and deeply comforting flavors wrapped up in a soft, chewy cookie form. Whether you’re baking for yourself or loved ones, these cookies bring a special kind of joy with each bite. So grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and treat yourself to a batch—you won’t regret it!