Molasses Spice Cookies

It wouldn't  be Christmas Cookie season without some Molasses Spice Cookies! These cookies are are super flavorful and chewy that they'll blow you away! Even Dr. Sweetpea who never liked molasses cookies loved these!

Molasses Spice Cookies

(Source: America's Test Kitchen)

1/3 cup granulated sugar, plus 1/2 cup for rolling

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar

1 large egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup molasses 

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Spread 1/2 cup granulated sugar in shallow dish. Whisk flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, cloves, allspice, pepper, and salt together in bowl. 

Using stand mixer fitted with paddle, beat butter, brown sugar, and remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar on medium speed until fluffy, 3 to 6 minutes. Add egg yolk and vanilla and beat until combined. Add molasses and beat until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Reduce speed to low, slowly add flour mixture, and mix until combined (dough will be soft). (I always refrigerate the dough for a few hours so it can harden up and it'll be easier to roll into balls)

Working with 2 tablespoons of dough at a time, roll into balls with your wet hands, then roll balls in granulated sugar; space balls 2 inches apart on prepared sheets. Bake, 1 sheet at a time, until edges are set and begging to brown but centers are still soft and puffy, 10 - 12 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through baking. Let cookies cool on sheet for 10 minutes. Serve warm or transfer to wire rack and let cool completely before serving.