12 Days of Cookies: Gaby Dalkin’s Molasses Cookies

This year, we found the best cookies on the web for our 12 Days of Cookies, with today’s cookie being Gaby Dalkin’s own twist on the classic molasses cookie.

The Baker: Gaby Dalkin is a cookbook author and founder of the popular site, What’s Gaby Cooking, where she chronicles the best dishes to come out of her kitchen. The author of the cookbook, What’s Gaby Cooking, she’s brought her fresh cooking style—a mix of California casual and Southwestern flair—to a signature line of sauces and salsas.

Why Love It: Gaby’s favorite Christmas cookie is a recipe that was passed down from her mom. What we love about it is that the dough takes only a minute to chill out in the fridge before getting rolled in extra sugar for good measure.

Gaby Dalkin’s Molasses Cookies

Ingredients

• 12 Tbs. (1 1/2 sticks) (6 oz./185 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (8 oz./250 g) sugar, plus more for rolling
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup (3 1/2 oz./105 g) molasses
• 2 1/4 cups (11 oz./345 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp. baking soda

Directions

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the butter, sugar, egg and molasses. Beat on medium speed until well combined, 1 to 2 minutes.

2. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cloves, ginger, cinnamon and baking soda.

3. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the molasses mixture. Beat until thoroughly combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

4. Preheat an oven to 350°F (180°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

5. Fill a small, shallow bowl with sugar. Using about 2 Tbs. dough for each cookie, roll the dough into balls, then coat each ball with sugar. Place on the prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookies about 2 inches (5 cm) apart.

6. Bake the cookies until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks and let cool for a few minutes, then transfer the cookies to the racks and let cool completely. Makes about 36 cookies.

Follow along on our blog for 12 days of Christmas cookies, and head to our Holiday Headquarters for more recipes, gift ideas, and supplies for all your holiday entertaining needs.