Molasses brings warmth, richness, and depth of flavor to baked goods, making it the perfect ingredient for fall and holiday treats. From classic cookies to decadent cakes and breads, here’s a round-up of my favorite molasses-infused recipes.
Why Use Molasses?
Molasses adds more than just sweetness to your desserts—it brings depth, warmth, and a rich, almost smoky flavor that makes baked goods unforgettable. It helps cookies stay chewy, gives cakes a moist and tender crumb, and adds that classic “old-fashioned” taste we crave in fall and holiday recipes.
Beyond flavor, molasses is also packed with minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium, making it a sweetener with substance. (Hey, any excuse to call a cookie healthy is all right with me!)
Whether you’re baking gingerbread, cookies, or spice cakes, molasses is the ingredient that transforms ordinary recipes into cozy, nostalgic favorites.
What are we waiting for? Let's take a look at some of our favorite molasses-infused treats!
Molasses Cookies
From chewy old-fashioned favorites to spiced crinkle cookies, molasses brings a rich depth of flavor to every bite. These recipes capture the warmth and nostalgia of fall baking—perfect for cookie swaps, holiday trays, or enjoying with a steaming mug of coffee. Whether you prefer soft and chewy or crisp with a snap, these molasses cookies deliver classic flavor with a modern twist.
If you love an old-fashioned fall cookie, one that makes you think of days gone by, you’re going to love this simple recipe! It starts with a simple and inexpensive ingredient used “back in the day” - molasses!
If you love the warm, rich spices of fall but you’re also a fan of those delicious oatmeal cookies grandma used to make, you’re going to flip over this simple but yummy recipe from Out of the Box Baking! It merges both worlds into one scrumptious cookie!
A rich, chewy holiday cookie that starts with a chocolate cake mix and gets a cozy upgrade from warm spices and deep, sweet molasses.
If you’re looking for a simple but delicious gingerbread cookie, this is it! These come together so easily and they’re perfect for rolling and cutting!
Easy Gingerbread Whoopie Pies made from a white cake mix, filled with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. A simple, festive holiday dessert that’s soft, spiced, and irresistible!
These soft, pillowy gingerbread cookies are full of warm holiday spices and topped with a sweet cinnamon glaze. Perfect for Christmas cookie trays, they’re a festive twist on the classic.
Molasses Cakes and Cupcakes
Rich, moist, and full of cozy spice, molasses-infuse cakes and cupcakes are the perfect way to bring old-fashioned flavor to your fall and holiday baking. From tender spice cakes to decadent frosted cupcakes, each recipe highlights the deep sweetness of molasses balanced with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. These treats are ideal for family gatherings, festive celebrations, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea on a chilly evening.
If you’re looking for a holiday dessert that’s rich, warm, and loaded with old-fashioned flavor, this Molasses Cake is for you. Starting with a simple white cake mix, we’ll transform it into a moist, tender cake that’s brimming with the deep sweetness of molasses and topped with a luscious brown sugar buttercream. It’s the perfect blend of nostalgia and convenience — just the way we like it!
Warmly spiced gingerbread meets a coffee-kissed buttercream — your kitchen will smell like a holiday coffee shop.
This Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Loaf is moist, spiced to perfection, and bursting with rich molasses flavor. A timeless holiday classic, perfect with whipped cream or a lemon glaze.
Start your morning with Rise and Shine Spice Muffins! These soft, fluffy molasses muffins are topped with crunchy raw sugar and bursting with warm spices.
This Jamaican Sticky Gingerbread is rich, moist, and bursting with warm spices, dark molasses, and fresh ginger. Perfect for the holidays, this spiced loaf gets stickier and more flavorful the longer it sits!
Whether you’re baking for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a cozy fall weekend, these molasses recipes will fill your kitchen with warmth and spice. Be sure to pin some photos before you go so you'll have access to these delicious recipes all season long!
About the Author
Janice Thompson is the creator of Out of the Box Baking, where she shares approachable, family-friendly recipes that turn simple ingredients into extraordinary treats. With a love for all things sweet (and a knack for cake mix hacks), Janice specializes in recipes that blend old-fashioned comfort with modern convenience. When she’s not in the kitchen whipping up cakes, cookies, and pies, you’ll find her writing novels, caring for rescue dogs, or teaching others how to bake with confidence.