Oma’s Ginger Cookies
Oma’s Ginger Cookies are classic homemade cookies filled with warm spices and rich molasses flavor. Brown sugar and butter create a deliciously rich, tender cookie dough.Ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves provide the signature spicy aroma.Rolling the dough in granulated sugar gives the cookies a delightful crackled exterior.These cookies are perfect for holidays, afternoon snacks, and homemade gifts.Enjoy them fresh from the oven or store them for a sweet treat throughout the week.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsulphured molasses
- 1 large egg
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup granulated sugar, for rolling
Instructions
Prepare the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
- Beat the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
Add Molasses and Egg
- Beat in the molasses and egg until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
Make the Dough
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
Shape the Cookies
- Scoop approximately 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie. Roll into balls and coat each one in granulated sugar. Chill the dough for 30 minutes if it feels too soft.
Bake
- Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops have developed cracks.
Cool and Serve
- Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Allow them to cool before serving.
Notes
-
Butter: Use softened butter, not melted butter, for the best dough consistency.
-
Molasses: Unsulphured molasses provides a balanced sweetness and deep flavor.
-
Flour: Measure flour carefully to avoid dry cookies.
-
Spices: Adjust the ginger and cinnamon to suit your taste.
-
Dough texture: The dough should be soft but manageable.
-
Chilling: Refrigeration helps reduce spreading and makes shaping easier.
-
Baking: The cookies may look slightly soft when removed; they firm up as they cool.
-
Storage: Keep completely cooled cookies in an airtight container.