Spiced Apple Molasses Cookies with Candied Ginger
These soft, chewy cookies blend the warming spices of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves with rich molasses and sweet applesauce. Rolled in spiced sugar before baking, they develop a delightfully crackled exterior while staying tender inside. The addition of candied ginger provides bursts of crystallized heat throughout. Perfect for fall gatherings or holiday cookie exchanges, these cookies actually improve overnight as the flavors meld and the texture becomes perfectly chewy.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup coconut oil, softened
- ¼ cup vegan butter, softened
- 1 ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup applesauce, preferably homemade and unsweetened
- ½ cup molasses
- 2 large eggs
- 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
- 2 ½ cups spelt flour
- 2 ¼ tsp baking soda
- 4 tsp ground ginger
- 4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- 0.0 allspice
- 0.0 nutmeg
- 0.0 cardamom(optional)
- ¼ cup candied ginger, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar, for rolling
- 0.0 allspice, for rolling
- 0.0 nutmeg, for rolling
- 0.0 cardamom, for rolling
- 0.0 cloves, for rolling
- 0.0 cinnamon, for rolling
Instructions
- 1
Cream together coconut oil, vegan butter and sugars until fluffy
- 2
Add applesauce and molasses, then eggs one at a time
- 3
Sift together dry ingredients and mix in candied ginger
- 4
Add dry ingredients to mixer by half cup portions, scraping bowl often
- 5
Chill dough for a few hours or overnight
- 6
Preheat oven to 350F and combine spiced sugar rolling mixture
- 7
Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper
- 8
Shape cookies with ice cream scoop into balls
- 9
Roll shaped cookies in spiced sugar mixture
- 10
Place on prepared baking sheet with space for spreading
- 11
Bake for 10-12 minutes
- 12
Allow to cool completely before storing
Tips
Chilling the dough overnight improves texture and makes cookies easier to handle when shaping
These cookies taste even better the next day as flavors meld and texture becomes perfectly chewy
Freeze shaped unbaked cookies on a tray, then store in bags for fresh-baked cookies anytime
Good to Know
Store at room temperature for up to a week in tightly sealed container
Dough can be chilled overnight or shaped cookies can be frozen unbaked for months
Best eaten the next day after flavors have melded
Common Mistakes
Chill dough to prevent excessive spreading during baking
Do not overbake to maintain chewy texture
Substitutions
FAQ
Can I make these without eggs?
Try replacing each egg with 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, though texture will be slightly different.
What if I don't have spelt flour?
You can substitute with additional whole wheat flour or use all-purpose flour for a lighter texture.
How long do frozen cookie dough balls keep?
Shaped unbaked cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw to room temperature before rolling in spiced sugar and baking.