The Coziest Ginger Molasses Cookies with Eggnog Buttercream Recipe
Soft, chewy ginger molasses cookies create a warm holiday memory that dances between spicy and sweet.
Memories of grandmother's kitchen inspired this delightful treat.
Molasses brings deep, rich undertones to each perfectly crisp bite.
Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg nestle beautifully within the dough.
Creamy eggnog buttercream adds a luxurious twist to the classic cookie.
Seasonal comfort arrives in every delectable morsel.
Ginger Molasses Cookies with Eggnog Buttercream That Impress
Ingredients for Ginger Molasses Cookies with Eggnog Buttercream
Dry Ingredients:Wet Ingredients:Buttercream Components:Finishing Ingredient:How to Prepare Ginger Molasses Cookies with Eggnog Buttercream
Mix Dry Flavor Makers
Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and salt into a medium bowl. This magical blend will create the spicy foundation of your delicious cookies.
Gently combine the ingredients to ensure an even distribution of flavors.
Cream Butter and Sugar
In a stand mixer, whip softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and looks like a cloud of sweetness.
Beat for about 3 minutes, allowing air to dance into the mixture and create a tender cookie texture.
Add Liquid Gold
Drop in the egg and molasses, beating until they merge seamlessly with the butter-sugar blend.
The molasses will infuse rich, deep flavors that make these cookies irresistibly delicious.
Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients.
Mix on low speed just until the dough comes together, being careful not to overwork the batter.
Chill and Relax the Dough
Cover the cookie dough and slide it into the refrigerator for a solid hour.
This resting period allows flavors to mingle and makes the dough easier to handle.
Fire Up the Oven
Crank the oven to 375°F (190°C).
This high temperature will help create those beautiful crackly cookie tops.
Shape and Sugar Coat
Scoop out dough and roll into small balls.
Give each ball a luxurious roll in granulated sugar, creating a sparkling exterior that’ll catch everyone’s eye.
Bake to Perfection
Place sugared dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
Bake for 8-10 minutes until tops crack and centers remain soft.
Cool Down
Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely.
Patience is key for the perfect cookie sandwich.
Craft Creamy Eggnog Frosting
In a clean mixer bowl, beat butter until fluffy.
Gradually add:
Beat until smooth, then slowly introduce eggnog, adjusting sugar to create a spreadable consistency.
Create Cookie Sandwiches
Match cookies by size.
Pipe or spread eggnog buttercream on one cookie’s flat side, then gently press a matching cookie on top. The result?
A festive, flavor-packed treat that screams holiday cheer!
Tips for Ginger Molasses Cookies with Eggnog Buttercream
Flavor Variations on Ginger Molasses Cookies with Eggnog Buttercream
Pairing Ideas for Ginger Molasses Cookies with Eggnog Buttercream
Storage Advice for Ginger Molasses Cookies with Eggnog Buttercream
FAQs
What makes the spices in these cookies special?
The combination of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg creates a warm, complex flavor profile that captures the essence of holiday baking, providing a rich and aromatic taste experience.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?
Chilling the dough for at least an hour helps solidify the butter and prevents excessive spreading, ensuring the cookies maintain their shape and develop those characteristic surface cracks.
Can I make the buttercream ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the eggnog buttercream up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before using, giving it a quick whisk to restore its smooth consistency.

Ginger Molasses Cookies With Eggnog Buttercream
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 1x
Description
Rich ginger molasses cookies with eggnog buttercream showcase classic holiday flavors in one delightful treat. Spicy cookies paired with creamy frosting will satisfy seasonal cravings when you want something special to share.
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) molasses
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) baking soda
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) eggnog
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground nutmeg
- 5 to 7 cups (600–840 g) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and salt into a medium bowl to ensure even distribution of spices and leavening agents. Set mixture aside for later use.
- Cream softened butter and granulated sugar in a stand mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes to incorporate air into the batter.
- Mix in egg and molasses, beating until fully integrated, allowing the molasses to provide moisture and rich flavor while the egg binds the dough.
- Gradually add dry ingredient mixture to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until dough just comes together without overmixing.
- Refrigerate dough for 1 hour to allow ingredients to meld and make the sticky dough easier to handle.
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C), creating the ideal temperature for developing signature cookie surface cracks.
- Scoop chilled dough into 1-inch balls, rolling each thoroughly in granulated sugar to create a sparkling exterior.
- Place sugared dough balls on parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing 1 inch apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes until tops crack and centers remain soft.
- Transfer baked cookies to wire rack, allowing complete cooling before frosting to prevent buttercream melting.
- Prepare eggnog buttercream by beating softened butter until fluffy. Incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and nutmeg. Gradually add eggnog, adjusting sugar consistency as needed to create a smooth, spreadable frosting.
- Match cooled cookies by size. Pipe or spread eggnog buttercream on one cookie’s flat side, then sandwich with a matching cookie to create a balanced, flavorful treat.
Notes
- Adjust the spice quantities to suit personal taste preferences, ensuring the ginger, cinnamon, and cloves complement each other without overpowering the cookie’s delicate flavor.
- Choose a high-quality, robust molasses for deeper, more complex flavor that enhances the cookie’s richness and provides a beautiful dark color.
- For easier handling, use slightly damp hands when rolling the cookie dough balls, preventing the sticky mixture from clinging to your fingers.
- Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version, and use dairy-free butter and plant-based eggnog to create a vegan-friendly alternative that maintains the recipe’s classic taste profile.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 212
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 106 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 0.7 g
- Protein: 1.4 g
- Cholesterol: 27 mg
Nate Harper
Founder & Recipe Curator
Expertise
Single-Recipe Development, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Seasonal Menu Planning, Culinary Storytelling, Home Kitchen Innovation
Education
Cascade Culinary Institute – Central Oregon Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and seasonal recipe creation.
Nate studied under experienced chefs who emphasized local sourcing, minimal waste, and building recipes from fresh, simple ingredients.
Nate Harper is the founder and creative force behind Make, Take, Bake. Raised in the wild beauty of Oregon’s high desert, Nate grew up surrounded by family gardens, farmers’ markets, and home kitchens that celebrated the seasons.
His early love for simple, honest food evolved into a professional passion when he attended Cascade Culinary Institute, where he sharpened his skills in creating recipes that are sustainable, satisfying, and made for everyday life.
Nate’s goal is to make cooking feel accessible, free of fuss, and full of flavor. He believes a single, thoughtfully built dish can stand alone, and sometimes even steal the show.