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Dark Chocolate Molasses Cookies

Delicious Dark Chocolate Molasses cookies that are special enough to be a Holiday cookie, but easy enough to enjoy anytime.

A stack of three molasses cookies that have been tolled in hazelnuts.I make these ginger cookies with molasses every year for Christmas. I don’t know why I only make them once a year because I’ll make chocolate chip cookies about a bajillion times. This year I wanted to do something a little different. My baking brain started wondering if dark chocolate and molasses would go together, and what would it taste like to add hazelnuts? I hoped my Dark Chocolate Molasses cookies would taste as good as my Nutella Filled Hazelnut Thumb cookies.Offset layer of molasses cookies that have been tolled in hazelnuts.I’m not a big dough eater, but as I was tasting these, I could have devoured the bowl and just skipped the oven. They didn’t lose a thing baking them. My tummy did a serious happy dance. I am so excited to bring them to you.

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This cookie has a soft center and the edges just give way to a light crunch. These cookies are versatile too. I rolled half in hazelnuts and the other half in powdered sugar. The batter is good enough that you don’t have to roll them in anything!

Offset layer of molasses cookies that have been tolled in hazelnuts sitting on parchment paper with a bottle of milk in the background.I wanted my friend next door to do a taste test for me. Her little man is allergic to nuts, but I couldn’t just leave him empty-handed. I got a 4-year old’s thumbs up on the powdered sugar version! Woo hoo! Both were delicious. Even though the powdered sugar covered cookie looks like a cookie that’s been around for a long time, they don’t taste the same.

Chocolate crinkle cookies sitting on a wooden background.This Dark Chocolate Molasses cookies recipe makes close to 4 dozen large cookies. They are perfect for large gatherings, the church bake sale, or you can freeze some of them for another day! These cookies are perfect for the holidays, but I think they would be great anytime!

Don’t have time to make them now? Pin it for later!

A Dark Chocolate Molasses cookie that is soft on the inside and a delicate crunch on the outside. Delicious enough for special occasions, but easy enough for every day. | HostessAtHeart.com

Dark Chocolate Molasses Cookies

Author: Julie Menghini
Dark Chocolate Molasses cookies are soft on the inside with a delicate crunch on the outside. They're delicious enough for special occasions, but easy enough for every day. 
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Cookie, Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword: Chocolate Molasses Cookies
Servings: 45 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 3 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder sifted
  • 1 1/2 cup butter unsalted, softened
  • 1 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1 cup hazelnuts ground (I used dry-roasted unsalted

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and sifted cocoa powder. Whisk together to combine.
  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, beat butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add sugars, vanilla, and eggs, mixing between each addition. Add molasses and beat until combined.
  • Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
  • Chill for at least 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Roll dough into 1-1/2 inch balls.
  • Roll in hazelnuts, or the topping of your choice, and place on baking sheets, two inches apart.
  • Bake for approximately 10 minutes, turning halfway through. Don't over bake.
  • Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet and then remove parchment paper to a cooling rack. Cool completely.
  • Store in an air-tight container separating layers with parchment or wax paper.

Notes

Prep time includes suggested chill time. Cookies can be rolled in powdered sugar, sprinkles, or just left plain.

Nutrition

Calories: 157kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 167mgPotassium: 107mgSugar: 12gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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I’m often asked about the supplies that I use in my kitchen.  For your convenience, I used my favorite rimmed baking sheet and scoop that makes short work.

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Now you know how I love a great cookie right? Here are a few more of my favorites!

 

Nutella Filled Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

Nutella Filled Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies - Hostess At Heart

No-Chill Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Three Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip cookies sitting on a blue enamelware plate. A jar of milk sits next to the plate and a cooling rack filled with cookies sits in the background.

4 Ingredient Light and Luscious Lemon Cookie Recipe

A front table view of a line of Lemon Snowflake Cookies on a white tray.

 

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Offset layer of molasses cookies that have been tolled in hazelnuts.
Let’s keep in touch!  You can find me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube! Better yet, enter your email address in the box below and never miss a recipe!

5 from 1 vote
Recipe Rating




Linda K

Wednesday 26th of May 2021

Whenever I need to take cookies to a function, I make these. They're so easy and one batch makes a bunch.

Winnie

Saturday 2nd of January 2016

These are definitely my kind of great cookies! They look very tasty :)

Julie Menghini

Saturday 2nd of January 2016

Thank you Winnie! They are yummy. I appreciate you stopping by!

milkandbun

Monday 21st of December 2015

What to say - cookies look divine! :)

Julie Menghini

Monday 21st of December 2015

Thank you!

Suchitra

Saturday 19th of December 2015

I have been wanting to try cookies with molasses for a while now. I even bought a bottle of molasses last year! Yet to make it! I like your dark chocolate molasses cookies. Saving the recipe!

Julie Menghini

Saturday 19th of December 2015

Thank you so much! They are quick easy and stay well. Enjoy your weekend my sweet friend!

Sonal Kalra

Thursday 17th of December 2015

These look absolutely delicious, Julie!

Julie Menghini

Thursday 17th of December 2015

Thank you so much Sonal!

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