Molasses Spice Cookies With Dark Rum Glaze

Molasses Spice Cookies With Dark Rum Glaze

24 servings
From the America's Test Kitchen cookbook, same folks as cooks illustrated. They point out that if you dip your hands in water when rolling the dough into balls, it helps keep it from sticking to your hands. Also helps the sugar stick to the dough. Time does not include time to cool.

Ingredients

  • plus 1/3 c. sugar
    ½ c
  • flour
    2 ¼ c
  • baking soda
    1 tsp
  • cinnamon
    1 ½ tsp
  • ginger
    1 ½ tsp
  • clove
    ½ tsp
  • allspice
    ¼ tsp
  • pepper
    ¼ tsp
  • salt
    ¼ tsp
  • unsalted butter

    softened

    12 tbsp
  • packed dark brown sugar
    ⅓ c
  • egg yolk
    1 large
  • vanilla
    1 tsp
  • molasses

    light or dark

    ⅓ c
  • confectioners' sugar
    1 c
  • dark rum
    3 tbsp

Directions

  1. 1

    Adjust an oven rack to the middle position. Heat oven to 375. Spread 1/2 cup sugar in a shallow dish for coating. Set aside. Whisk the flour, baking soda, spices, pepper and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.

  2. 2

    Beat butter, brown sugar and remaining 1/3 cup sugar together in a large bowl using an elecctric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3-6 inutes. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla until combined, about 30 seconds. Beat in the molasses until incorporated, about 30 seconds, scraping down the side of the bowl and bveater as needed.

  3. 3

    Reduce mixer speed to low. Slowly mix in the flour mixture until combined, about 30 seconds. (Dough will be soft.) Give the dough a final stir with a rubhger spatula to make sure it is combinewd.

  4. 4

    Using wet hands, roll 2 T. dough at a time into balls, then roll in the sugar to coat. Lay on two parchment-lined baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake, one sheet at a tim, until edges set and tops are cracked but centers are still soft and underdone. (Peek thru cracks to check centers.) It's about 10-12 minutes. Rotate the baking sheet halfway thru baking.

  5. 5

    Let cookies cool on sheet for 10 minutes. You can serve them at this point or transfer to a wire rack, cooling completely before putting on the rum glaze.

  6. 6

    To make glaze, just mix the confectioners sugar and rum together until smooth. Drizzle it over the cooled cookies. Let set for 10-15 minutes before serving.

  7. 7

    NOTE: if you want to make these w/o the rum glaze, you could also use a variation that has orange essence in it. Just add 1 t. grated orange zest to the dough when you add the molasses. Process 2/3 cup sugar with 2 t. grated orange zest in a food processor until fragrance, about 10 seconds. Use that for rolling instead of the plain white sugar.

Molasses Spice Cookies With Dark Rum Glaze

Molasses Spice Cookies With Dark Rum Glaze

50 min24 servings162 cal

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About this Recipe

Craving a warm, spice-filled treat with a sophisticated twist? These Molasses Spice Cookies with Dark Rum Glaze are the perfect blend of cozy comfort and holiday cheer, bringing a taste of the festive season to your kitchen.

Hailing from the culinary experts at America's Test Kitchen, this recipe boasts a clever technique: dipping your hands in water when rolling the dough. This simple trick not only prevents the sticky dough from clinging to your hands but also helps the sugar adhere beautifully, ensuring a perfect, sparkling crackled finish on every cookie.

You can expect a soft, chewy cookie bursting with classic warming spices like fragrant cinnamon, zesty ginger, pungent clove, aromatic allspice, and a surprising hint of black pepper. The rich molasses provides a deep, complex sweetness, beautifully complemented by the sweet, subtly boozy dark rum glaze. These delightful cookies are designed to be a standout dessert, offering a balanced and indulgent experience perfect for sharing. With a yield of 24 cookies at 162 calories each, they are truly satisfying.

While the dark rum glaze is a signature touch, you can easily customize these cookies. For a different flavor, consider using a non-alcoholic substitute like milk or apple juice in the glaze, or simply omit it for a more rustic cookie. The recipe allows for either light or dark molasses; opting for dark molasses will create a more intense, robust flavor profile in your finished bake. Feel free to adjust the spice levels to your preference, perhaps emphasizing ginger for an extra kick.

These Molasses Spice Cookies are ideal for holiday gatherings, especially around Christmas, or any time you crave a taste of warming, spiced sweetness. Serve them with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of cold milk for a truly comforting treat.

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