Indulge in the rich, comforting taste of Soft Dark Chocolate Molasses Cookies, beautifully rolled in crunchy hazelnuts or festive sprinkles – a truly delightful treat for any occasion!
As the crisp air of the holidays settles in, our kitchens become vibrant hubs of baking activity, brimming with the comforting aroma of freshly baked goods. Here on the blog, we are enthusiastically embracing “cookie season,” a time of year dedicated to crafting and sharing delicious edible delights. Today marks an especially exciting occasion, one of my favorite annual holiday traditions: a special edition of Freaky Friday!
Freaky Friday is a cherished blog hop that I organize with a wonderful group of my closest blogger friends. We typically host this event once each season, but the holiday edition holds a special place in our hearts. This particular blog hop focuses entirely on festive holiday treats – think an array of tempting cookies, decadent dessert bars, and delightful candies perfect for assembling a beautiful holiday platter, or for bringing to a lively cookie exchange with your dearest friends and family. It’s a celebration of culinary creativity and seasonal cheer, designed to inspire your holiday baking with an abundance of new, mouth-watering recipes.
The magic of Freaky Friday lies in its unique secret assignment process. Each blogger is secretly assigned another participant’s blog from which to choose and bake a recipe. This element of surprise adds an exciting layer to the event! Then, on a designated day – like today – we all simultaneously reveal the recipe we chose, along with the talented blogger who created it. This collaborative approach serves multiple fantastic purposes. For us bloggers, it’s an incredible opportunity to discover and test a fantastic new recipe from a peer’s kitchen, broadening our culinary horizons. For you, our valued readers, it’s an exceptional chance to be introduced to a diverse range of talented food bloggers you might not have encountered otherwise. It’s a win-win, fostering community, sharing delicious food, and sparking endless baking inspiration!
For this delightful holiday round of Freaky Friday, I was incredibly fortunate to be assigned the charming blog, Hostess At Heart. Julie, the wonderful woman behind this culinary haven, truly lives up to her blog’s name as the hostess with the mostess! It’s rather serendipitous how much Julie and I have in common, making this assignment all the more special. Julie initially embarked on her blogging journey to share her beloved recipes with friends and family, a passion I deeply resonate with. She adores entertaining, just like me, and here’s the most unbelievable part – she lives right here in my hometown! Can you believe that despite our shared passion for food blogging and our local proximity, we have never had the chance to meet in person? Julie, a coffee or lunch date is definitely in order after this wonderful connection!
While immersing myself in Julie’s inviting blog, `Hostess At Heart`, I stumbled upon a tempting recipe for Citrus Carrot Cookies, which sounded absolutely amazing. However, my heart, as it often does, was drawn irresistibly to anything featuring “dark chocolate.” So, I ultimately opted to bake these incredible Dark Chocolate Molasses Cookies. Seriously, just uttering the words “dark chocolate” in front of any dessert makes me instantly game! The combination sounded uniquely intriguing, promising a depth of flavor perfect for the festive season. Beyond the cookies, I found myself bookmarking a couple of other remarkable recipes from Julie’s collection that I simply must try soon. Her Spiced Apple Star Bread, for instance, isn’t just GORGEOUS to look at, but it promises a delightful aroma and taste that speaks volumes of comfort and warmth. And for those moments when a savory dish calls, how about her tantalizing Hatch Chile & Bacon Mac and Cheese? Julie truly has a recipe for every craving!
But let’s circle back to these magnificent Dark Chocolate Molasses Cookies. From the very first bite, I was captivated by their incredibly soft, tender texture that practically melts in your mouth. The ingenious combination of rich, deep dark chocolate and the warmly spiced, slightly earthy notes of molasses is something I had never considered before, but wow – it absolutely works! This pairing creates a complex and incredibly satisfying flavor profile that is both familiar and exciting. Following Julie’s brilliant suggestion, I rolled some of the cookie dough balls in finely chopped hazelnuts, which added a delightful crunch and nutty aroma that perfectly complemented the soft interior. For a touch of extra festive cheer, I also rolled some in vibrant chocolate jimmies, adding a playful visual appeal and a subtle sweetness. The aroma alone as these baked filled my kitchen with an irresistible warmth, promising a truly special holiday treat.
These Soft Dark Chocolate Molasses Cookies were an instant hit with everyone at our house, disappearing almost as quickly as they emerged from the oven. Their unique flavor and comforting chewiness make them an ideal addition to any holiday dessert spread or a thoughtful gift for loved ones. I wholeheartedly recommend giving this recipe a try this holiday season. I truly hope that you enjoy baking and savoring these delightful cookies as much as we did!
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Print Recipe
Dark Chocolate Molasses Cookies
Soft dark chocolate molasses cookies, roll them in hazelnuts or sprinkles — and enjoy!
40 mins
10 mins
50 mins
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Dark Chocolate Molasses Cookies
Servings: 6 dozen
Calories: 106kcal
Author: Michaela Kenkel
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup molasses
- For rolling: chopped hazelnuts, sprinkles, chocolate jimmies, powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and dark cocoa powder. Whisk them thoroughly to combine evenly, then set aside.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed until it’s light and fluffy, which should take approximately 3 minutes. Gradually add in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs, mixing well after each addition to ensure everything is fully incorporated. Finally, add the molasses and beat until the mixture is smooth and combined.
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Cover the cookie dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and deepens the flavors.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Scoop the chilled dough and roll it into uniform balls, about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Roll each ball in your chosen topping – whether it’s chopped hazelnuts for a nutty crunch, festive sprinkles, classic chocolate jimmies, or a simple dusting of powdered sugar. Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are spaced about two inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers still look soft. The cookies will firm up as they cool.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes before carefully transferring them, along with the parchment paper, to a wire cooling rack. Let them cool completely on the rack to achieve their perfect soft and chewy texture.
- Store these delicious Dark Chocolate Molasses Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their softness and freshness for several days.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving: 1
| Calories: 106kcal
| Carbohydrates: 14g
| Protein: 1g
| Fat: 5g
| Saturated Fat: 3g
| Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
| Cholesterol: 15mg
| Sodium: 98mg
| Sugar: 9g
We hope you enjoyed this holiday cookie feature brought to you through the festive spirit of Freaky Friday. Happy baking!