If you have a soft spot for cookies that are bursting with warm spices and rich flavor, you are absolutely going to adore this Ginger Molasses Cookie Sandwiches Recipe. These delightful treats bring together the deep, comforting notes of molasses and ginger in a chewy cookie sandwich that’s filled with luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you crave something cozy and irresistible, this recipe will quickly become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the secret to nailing the perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and texture in these Ginger Molasses Cookie Sandwiches. Each component plays a vital role, from the aromatic spices that provide warmth to the molasses that gives depth and chewiness.
- All-purpose flour: The base for our cookies, ensuring a tender yet sturdy texture that holds the filling nicely.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough to create a soft, chewy bite.
- Ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg: A carefully crafted blend of spices that delivers that signature ginger cookie aroma and flavor.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and moisture to the dough for the ultimate chew.
- Granulated sugar and dark brown sugar: A combo that sweetens and moistens the cookies while contributing slight caramel notes.
- Unsulfured molasses: The star ingredient that gives these cookies their deep, robust flavor and irresistible chewiness.
- Egg: Binds the dough and enriches the texture.
- Pure vanilla extract: Adds a lovely sweet depth to both dough and filling.
- Sanding sugar: Coats each dough ball for a sparkling crunch on the outside.
- Cream cheese (softened): Creates the smooth, tangy filling that contrasts perfectly with the spiced cookies.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese filling for easy piping and perfect consistency.
How to Make Ginger Molasses Cookie Sandwiches Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Gingerbread Cookie Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper—this keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup effortless. Whisk together all the dry ingredients—flour, baking soda, and those magical spices—into a bowl and set aside. Then, beat the softened butter with the sugars until light and fluffy; this step is key to getting that tender texture. Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla, mixing until everything comes together smoothly. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Step 2: Shape and Bake the Cookies
Use a small cookie scoop to portion the dough into evenly sized balls, about 1 ½ tablespoons each. Roll each ball in sanding sugar for a sparkling, slightly crunchy exterior—this little touch elevates the texture wonderfully. Place them spaced out on the prepared sheets and bake for 8 minutes, just until the edges are set. You want these cookies soft and chewy, not crispy, so watch the time closely.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
While the cookies cool, whip up the filling by beating the softened cream cheese and butter together until silky smooth. Slowly add the powdered sugar, beating until fluffy and light, then stir in vanilla. Transfer this luscious filling into a piping bag, or use a simple ziplock with the corner cut off; this makes assembling the sandwiches a breeze.
Step 4: Assemble the Cookie Sandwiches
Taking half of the cooled cookies, pipe a generous dollop of cream cheese filling onto their flat side. Top them with the remaining cookies, flat sides down, to create perfect little sandwich treats. For best results, place your sandwiches in an airtight container or a flat baking sheet covered tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 days. This resting time lets the flavors marry beautifully and prevents the filling from oozing out when you bite in. Trust me—patience truly pays off here!
How to Serve Ginger Molasses Cookie Sandwiches Recipe
Garnishes
To make these cookie sandwiches even more special, try dusting them lightly with a bit of powdered sugar or a pinch of cinnamon just before serving. You could also press a few finely chopped crystallized ginger pieces or toasted pecans on the outside edges of the cream cheese filling for added texture and a zingy surprise. These extra touches make the cookies look bakery-fancy and taste gourmet.
Side Dishes
Serving these sandwiches with a warm drink is a match made in heaven. Pair them with a spiced chai latte, a mug of hot apple cider, or simply a cup of strong coffee. If you’re sharing at a gathering, consider a small cheese plate or fresh fruit to balance the sweetness. These accompaniments let the warming spice profile of the Ginger Molasses Cookie Sandwiches Recipe shine while keeping your palate refreshed.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful with how you serve these cookie sandwiches. Arrange them on a rustic wooden board tied with twine for a charming, homemade look. Stack them in a pretty tin layered with parchment paper for gifting. Or create an interactive dessert station where guests can customize their own with different fillings like salted caramel or chocolate ganache. The Ginger Molasses Cookie Sandwiches Recipe is versatile and invites you to have fun presenting it your way.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once assembled, store your cookie sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping them chilled helps maintain the cream cheese filling’s texture and keeps the cookies moist and delicious. If you notice the cookies getting a bit soft, just let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before enjoying.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookie sandwiches either before or after assembling. For the best results, freeze the plain cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready, thaw completely and fill with cream cheese frosting. If freezing the sandwiches fully assembled, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Reheating
Since these treats are meant to be enjoyed chilled with cream cheese filling, reheating is not necessary and can alter the texture. If you prefer softer cookies, you can warm the individual cookie (without filling) for about 10 seconds in the microwave before assembling. Keep in mind the filling tastes best when kept cool and creamy.
FAQs
Can I use regular sugar instead of sanding sugar?
Yes! While sanding sugar gives the cookies a lovely sparkle and slight crunch, regular granulated sugar will work just fine. Your cookies will have a less textured exterior but still delightfully sweet.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the butter with your favorite plant-based alternative and use dairy-free cream cheese for the filling. Make sure all your ingredients are labeled dairy-free to maintain the flavor and texture as close to the original as possible.
How do I make the cookies less soft and more crisp?
If you prefer crispier cookies, try baking them a minute or two longer and reduce the molasses slightly for less chewiness. Keep an eye on them so they don’t overbake and become too hard.
Can I use a different spice mix?
You can certainly experiment! Ground allspice or cardamom can be great additions, or you can increase the ginger for a stronger kick. Just remember to keep overall spice amounts balanced to preserve the harmony of flavors.
How long should I refrigerate the assembled sandwiches?
The flavors of the Ginger Molasses Cookie Sandwiches Recipe really develop after being refrigerated for at least 24 hours. This resting period keeps the cream cheese filling firm and prevents any mess, enhancing each bite with melded flavors.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting about the rich flavors and soft texture of these Ginger Molasses Cookie Sandwiches Recipe. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a special occasion, or just because, this recipe is a wonderful way to bring warmth and joy to any day. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself and your loved ones to these sweet little packages of happiness—you’ll be so glad you did!
PrintGinger Molasses Cookie Sandwiches Recipe
These Ginger Molasses Cookie Sandwiches combine soft and flavorful molasses-spiced cookies with a smooth, creamy vanilla cream cheese filling. The cookies are rolled in sanding sugar for a delightful crunch and then sandwiched with a luscious cream cheese frosting, making them the perfect festive treat for holidays or cozy gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes per batch
- Total Time: 33 minutes plus 24 hours chilling time
- Yield: 15 sandwich cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread Cookies
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- ½ cup unsulfured molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup sanding sugar (for rolling)
For the Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and dark brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—usually about 3 to 4 minutes with an electric mixer.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until everything is incorporated to avoid overmixing and tough cookies.
- Shape the Cookies: Using a small cookie scoop or spoon (approximately 1 ½ tablespoons of dough), portion out the dough. Roll each ball in sanding sugar to coat evenly, then place on the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Add Powdered Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until the frosting is fluffy and combined. Stir in the vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for extra flavor.
- Fill the Cookies: Transfer the cream cheese filling to a piping bag (or a ziplock bag with a corner snipped off). Pipe a generous amount of filling onto the flat side of half of the cooled cookies.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Top the filled cookies with the remaining cookies, flat side down, gently pressing to spread the filling to the edges.
- Chill to Set: Place the cookie sandwiches in an airtight container or onto a flat baking sheet and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the filling to firm up—this helps prevent filling from oozing out when eating.
Notes
- For best texture, do not overbake the cookies; they should remain soft in the center.
- If you prefer spicier cookies, increase the ground ginger or cinnamon slightly.
- The chilling step is crucial to avoid the filling becoming runny when served.
- These cookies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Bring cookies to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
