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Home Recipes Cookies and Bars

Old Fashioned Gluten Free Molasses Cookies

Published: Oct 12, 2022 by Sandi Gaertner · 16 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

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If you love molasses, these soft Gluten Free Molasses Cookies are for you. I used classic blackstrap molasses to give this old-fashioned molasses cookie recipe a huge amount of flavor!

a stack of three molasses cookies on white plates. A glass of milk is behind the cookies
Jump to:
  • Why You Should Make This Recipe:
  • Ingredient Notes:
  • Recipe Step By Step Directions:
  • Cookie Baking Tips:
  • Recipe FAQ:
  • Gluten Free Cookies With Molasses:
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Fearless Dining
  • 💬 Comments

I often think about family recipes and how to make them gluten free. I am almost obsessive as I get older because I want to ensure these recipes are preserved for my kids.

Grab a few simple ingredients. I think you will like this version of my grandmother's simple molasses cookie recipe! I included a short video to show you every step to making these cookies!

If you are a cookie fanatic, check out all of my Gluten Free Holiday Cookies for even more delicious cookie recipes to try!

a molasses cookie on a plate. The rack of cookies is behind the plate.

You may also love this simple Gluten Free Pumpkin Molasses Cookies recipe.

Why You Should Make This Recipe:

  1. These old-fashioned molasses cookies are really easy to make.
  2. You can enjoy these delicious soft gluten free molasses cookies all year long!
  3. There are no specialty ingredients, and you can find everything you need at your local grocery store.

Ingredient Notes:

  • Gluten Free Flour blend like Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Blend or Authentic Foods Multiblend.
  • Xanthan or Guar Gum - If you rflour blend doesn't contain one of these, you should add a teaspoon.
  • Molasses - Use regular or blackstrap molasses.
  • Eggs - Use size large
  • Butter - Please use unsalted butter. If you are dairy-free, use Earth Balance.
  • Molasses - Most molasses is gluten free but check my gluten free molasses list to ensure your brand is safe.

Recipe Step By Step Directions:

It is so easy to make this gluten free molasses cookies recipe. All you need is 20 minutes to make them. Preheat the oven to 350º F and check to ensure the rack is in the middle position.

whisking dry ingredients in a bowl

Step 1: Add the dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl and whisk the ingredients to blend.

wet ingredients in a bowl

Step 2: Add the wet ingredients to a medium-sized bowl and whisk to blend.

Note you can use a standing mixer with a paddle attachment to mix the cookie dough if you prefer.

wet ingredients mixed in a bowl

Your wet ingredients will look like this when whisked. I love the deep brown color!

molasses cookie batter in a bowl.

Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well. Your gluten free molasses cookie dough will be a little stiff, like in this picture.

a cookie scoop dropping cookie dough balls onto a baking sheet

Step 4: Use a cookie scoop to drop cookie dough balls onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.

a fork pressing the cookie dough down to be flatter.

Step 5: For best results, I like to smoosh the cookies down a bit. You can use the bottom of a glass, or use a fork to press cross marks on the cookies. This will help flatten the cookies a bit before baking.

sprinkling coarse sugar over the cookie dough

Optional: Sprinkle coarse sugar over each cookie. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Remove the baked cookies from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Enjoy!!

Cookie Baking Tips:

  • Use room temperature butter and eggs. I know that it sounds crazy to use butter and eggs at room temperature, but it dramatically helps how your cookies will turn out. You'll thank yourself later if you try it.
  • Take special care to measure correctly. If you add in too much gluten free flour or other ingredients, it can mess with the cookies as they bake. If they don't' have the proper ratios of ingredients, you may end up with a disaster.
  • Chill the dough when possible. I know you are probably ready to eat your cookies right now, but taking a few minutes to chill the batter makes them less likely to spread.
  • Your oven temperature may be off. Periodically, check your oven temperature to make sure it's right. Otherwise, the cookies will, for sure, spread if it's not accurate.
  • Don't let the cookies sit on the pan too long. After they have baked, only let them sit up to 5 minutes on the baking sheet. The pan will still be hot and continue baking them otherwise.

For more baking tips, check out my Gluten Free Baking Tips.

Recipe FAQ:

Is molasses gluten free?

Most molasses should be gluten free. Check this article to see if your brand of molasses is gluten free.

How do you store these gluten free molasses cookies?

Store the cookies in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep fresh for up to four days.

Can you use cookie cutters with this cookie dough?

Unfortunately, the dough is too soft to use cookie cutters. You can thicken the dough with additional flour if you want to use cookie cutters.

Can you freeze molasses cookies?

Yes, you can easily freeze these cookies. Place room temperature cookies into a freezer safe bag. They will keep fresh for up to four months in the freezer.

This post was updated from an old December 2018 post with more information and recipe details.

Gluten Free Cookies With Molasses:

  • Gluten Free Pfeffernusse Cookies
  • Easy Gluten Free Gingerdoodles
  • Gluten Free Gingerbread Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Gluten Free Gingerbread Biscotti (decorated like Christmas trees!)

📖 Recipe

Gluten Free Molasses Cookies

Sandi Gaertner
An easy old-fashioned molasses cookie recipe that has been made gluten free.
4.88 from 25 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Gluten Free Cookies and Bar Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 18 cookies
Calories 118 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ½ cups gluten free flour blend * see note
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder aluminum-free
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 
  • In a large bowl, add dry ingredients and whisk to blend.
  • In a smaller bowl, add the wet ingredients and mix.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well.
  • Use a cookie scoop to drop the cookie batter into balls on a cookie sheet.
  • Use a fork to press the cookies down. (You can see this in the video!) Optional sprinkle course sugar on top of each cookie.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes until done. Remove onto a cooling rack.

Video

Notes

  1. You can make this recipe dairy-free by using vegan butter or coconut oil.
  2. I tested this recipe with Bob's GF 1:1 blend. Other blends should work well. If your blend doesn't contain xanthan gum or guar gum, add 1 teaspoon to your flour blend.
  3. These cookies will keep fresh for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 118kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 46mgPotassium: 109mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 171IUVitamin C: 0.001mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

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(*Note, this recipe was updated from a 3/2017 post on my old blog, Grandmas.)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Mary A Williams

    April 05, 2023 at 9:49 am

    You state in recipe note Bob's red mill 1:1 flour but in the recipe the highlighted flour goes to amazon king arthur 1:1 flour, which is it

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 05, 2023 at 10:24 am

      Both work great. I like King Arthur better because it isn't as gritty, but if you use Bob's, let the batter sit 15 minutes so the rice flour can soften.

      Reply
  2. Bev Power

    December 20, 2022 at 3:12 pm

    5 stars
    Made these Molasses cookies for the first time and they are delicious and really easy to make. Thank you so much for this recipe.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      December 20, 2022 at 4:01 pm

      I am so glad you loved the cookies, Bev. Thank you so much for coming back to let me know :-).

      Reply
  3. Berni

    October 07, 2021 at 4:01 pm

    4 stars
    Good taste, and a soft cookie. Ovens are different so I had to bake a few minutes longer, and left them on the sheet pan for 5 minutes to help them stiffen. If you like a softer, fluffier crinkle, this is your cookie.
    I also bumped up the flavor with a bit of allspice and a bit more clove. Great base recipe.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      October 08, 2021 at 12:14 pm

      Allspice and clove sound like great additions. Thank you so much Berni!

      Reply
  4. Mike

    December 12, 2018 at 3:57 pm

    5 stars
    I’m fixated on the molasses giving them that intoxicating chewy texture! 🙂

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      December 13, 2018 at 4:34 pm

      Thank you so much Mike...they do have a distinctive flavor and texture :-).

      Reply
  5. Dannii

    December 12, 2018 at 10:05 am

    5 stars
    These look like some delicious cookies! I need to start my Christmas baking!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      December 13, 2018 at 4:32 pm

      Have fun Dannii 🙂

      Reply
  6. Jillian

    December 12, 2018 at 10:02 am

    5 stars
    These cookies look so soft and chewy - my favorite! I love using molasses for my gingerbread houses but I'm happy to have another recipe to use the extra molasses for!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      December 13, 2018 at 4:32 pm

      Gingerbread houses are fun too, it is a bit more tricky gluten free. I may attempt it next year :-).

      Reply
  7. Adrianne

    December 12, 2018 at 9:36 am

    5 stars
    I love that smooshing these cookies is an official part of the recipe, what fun!! I am going to have to give these a try, thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      December 13, 2018 at 4:31 pm

      LOL, my kids like that part too :-).

      Reply
  8. Cindy @ The Sweet Nerd

    December 12, 2018 at 9:25 am

    5 stars
    Mmmm I love blackstrap molasses. You're right it is a bit of an acquired taste. But I got it! Great how to video.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      December 13, 2018 at 4:31 pm

      Thank you so much Cindy...I would love to know what your favorite recipe is with blackstrap molasses 🙂

      Reply

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Welcome to my blog! I am so glad you are here. If you have Celiac Disease, are gluten intolerant, or have a wheat allergy, you've come to the right place. With years of extensive experience in recipe development, I am dedicated to assisting you on your gluten free journey. As a seasoned gluten free cookbook author and recipe developer, I specialize in creating easy, family-friendly recipes that rival their gluten-filled counterparts. Rest assured, my recipes undergo rigorous testing and refinement, ensuring foolproof results every time.

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