virginia's molasses cookies- recipe 100 years old

Name: Virginia's Molasses Cookies- Recipe 100 Years Old
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup(s) shortening, I use 1 stick margarine and 1/2 stick butter; 1 cup(s) sugar; 1/4 cup(s) heaping, molasses; 1 large egg; 2 teaspoon(s) baking soda; 2 1/4 cup(s) all-purpose flour; 3/4 teaspoon(s) ground cloves; 1/2 teaspoon(s) ground ginger; 1 teaspoon(s) cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt

(7 RATINGS)

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Family Favorites

Not Far From Green Bay, WI

Updated on Oct 28, 2025

My grandmother, Virginia, was a culinary instructor until her passing at over 100 years. This recipe was one of her signatures and remains a family favorite four generations later. Hope they become one of your family's favorites, too!

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Blue Ribbon Recipe

This is a delicious, basic old-fashioned molasses cookie. It has the perfect balance of spices and sweetness. The sugary coating gives the cookie a little crunch on the outside, but the inside stays perfectly tender. These molasses cookies are easy to make and filled with fall and winter spices.

— The Test Kitchen

prep time 15 Min

cook time 10 Min

method Bake

yield 1 dozen

Ingredients

3/4 cup shortening, I use 1 stick margarine and 1/2 stick butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup heaping, molasses
1 large egg
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

How To Make virginia's molasses cookies- recipe 100 years old

Step 1

Cream shortening and sugar.

Step 2

Add molasses; blend well.
Step 3

Add egg and beat until smooth.
Step 4

Sift together flour, soda, salt, and spices.
Step 5

Mix together with wet ingredients.
Step 6

Form into 1" balls.
Step 7

Roll in sugar.
Step 8

Flatten slightly with the bottom of a juice glass dipped in sugar. Place 2" apart on well greased cookie sheet.
Step 9

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. (Watch first batch closely as my oven runs a little hot.) Remove immediately and cool on toweling or wire racks.
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Nutrition Facts

(per serving*)

calories: 283kcal, carbohydrates: 40g, cholesterol: 16mg, fat: 13g, fiber: 1g, protein: 3g, saturated fat: 3g, sodium: 428mg, sugar: 22g, unsaturated fat: 10g

*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is estimated.

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