Molasses Crinkle Cookies

Sugar, spice and everything nice, Molasses Crinkle Cookies have a slightly crisp texture with sugar-dusted crackles on top.

If you are looking for a scrumptious molasses cookie, the kind with sugar-dusted crackles on top and that tastes and smells like it came straight from the oven of Mrs. Claus, I am here to tell you the search is over.

I recently scored an old-fashioned recipe for Molasses Crinkle Cookies from my friend Maria, whose mom Helen made them for her and her six siblings when they were growing up.

Even though her mom didn’t bake much, Maria says the molasses cookies remain one of her favorite things her mom made. She recalls her mom lovingly packing them in the brown sack lunches she’d make for Maria to take to school.

“Helen’s cookies were straight-up, perfectly round, crisp masterpieces,” said Maria. “No frills, with a sprinkling of sugar—that’s all they needed.” 

Where did the recipe come from?

Maria is lucky to be the keeper of her mom’s recipe box which is chock full of many family-favorite recipes, including the well-loved recipe card for Molasses Crinkle Cookies.

I was the lucky one when Maria let me borrow Helen’s recipe box. I loved getting a glimpse into the dishes and food traditions in Maria’s family, identifying with some of the recipes that are similar to those in my own recipe box (e.g. Hamburger Soup, Pork Pie) and discovering new recipes to try. In addition to her molasses cookies, Helen’s recipe for Pizza Hotdish is now in regular rotation at my house!

The way the cookie crinkles…

When it came time to return Helen’s recipe box, I couldn’t resist making a batch of her Molasses Crinkle Cookies to share with Maria. The smell of those freshly baked cookies that lingered in my car after the ride to Maria’s house is yet one more reason I am head over heels for these cookies.

Maria told me that her mom used Crisco for the shortening—which I have now learned is the ingredient that makes these cookies so spectacular. I made the cookies again using Crisco and the result was a prettier cookie (cue the crackles!) with a nice, round shape and an irresistible, just-right crisp texture. It’s true, moms know best!

Thanks to Maria for sharing her family’s cherished recipes with me along with the sweet memories of her mom Helen.