Ginger Molasses Rolo Cookies
By Maria Lichty
Published on December 20, 2023
Quick Summary
Ginger Molasses Rolo Cookies- a soft ginger molasses cookie with a gooey chocolate caramel Rolo candy in the center. A fun and delicious cookie that is perfect for the holidays or anytime!
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I love Rolo candies. If you haven’t had Rolos, let me introduce you. They are rich chocolate caramel candies wrapped in a shiny foil wrapper. I love using them to make my chocolate Rolo cookies , they are a classic. I also use them to make Rolo pretzels .
During the holiday months, I love making my soft ginger cookies and chewy molasses cookies . Well, I decided to use the Rolo candies to elevate a ginger molasses cookie. I hid a chocolate caramel candy inside of the dough, creating a sweet surprise.
The cookies are soft, chewy, perfectly spiced, and when you bite into the center you get a gooey chocolate caramel surprise! They are SO fun and SO delicious.
If you like ginger molasses cookies and chocolate and caramel…these are the cookies for you. The combo might sound a little odd, but I promise you all of the flavors work well today. These cookies are such a treat and perfect for the holiday season!
- Cookie Ingredients
- How to Make Ginger Molasses Rolo Cookies
- How to Store & Freeze
- More Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Ginger Molasses Rolo Cookies Recipe
Cookie Ingredients
- All-purpose flour – don’t pack flour when measuring. Fluff, spoon, and level!
- Baking powder
- Spices – ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Salt – use kosher salt.
- Unsalted butter – at room temperature.
- Brown sugar – always pack brown sugar when measuring.
- Egg – use a large egg.
- Pure vanilla extract
- Molasses – Grandma’s is my favorite brand.
- Rolos – chocolate caramel candies ! You can find them at most grocery stores in the candy aisle.
- Granulated sugar – for rolling cookies.
How to Make Ginger Molasses Rolo Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla and mix until combined. Pour in the molasses and beat until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Don’t over mix.
- Take about 1 tablespoon of cookie dough and wrap around one Rolo candy. Make sure the Rolo is completely covered with cookie dough.
- Place the sugar in a small bowl. Roll the dough ball in the sugar until completely coated. Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, about 2-inches apart.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or just until the cookies are barely set around the edges and soft in the centers. Don’t over bake.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
How to Store & Freeze
- Store the cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days.
- Freeze cookies for up to 3 months in a freezer bag or freezer container. Always label and date!
- You can also freeze the cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. No need to thaw before baking, just add a few minutes to the baking time.
More Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Chewy Molasses Cookies
- Rolo Cookies
- Soft Gingersnap Cookies
- Easy Sugar Cookies
- Andes Mint Cookies
- Thumbprint Cookies
Find MORE cookie recipes HERE and in my cookie cookbook, Let’s Eat Cookies !
Cookies
Ginger Molasses Rolo Cookies
Ingredients1x2x3x
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup molasses, I like Grandma’s
- 30 Rolo candies, unwrapped
- 1/2 cup white sanding sugar, for rolling cookies (can use granulated sugar)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla and mix until combined. Pour in the molasses and beat until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Don’t over mix.
- Take about 1 tablespoon of cookie dough and wrap around one Rolo candy. Make sure the Rolo is completely covered with cookie dough. Place the sugar in a small bowl. Roll the dough ball in the sugar until completely coated. Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, about 2-inches apart.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or just until the cookies are barely set around the edges and soft in the centers. Don’t over bake. Remove from the oven and let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
Thumbprint Cookies
By Maria Lichty
Published on December 06, 2022
Quick Summary
Thumbprint Cookies-buttery shortbread cookies rolled in sugar and filled with sweet raspberry jam! These beautiful little cookies are a classic Christmas cookie, but can be enjoyed anytime of the year.
I love creating new cookie recipes , but I also love the classics. One of our favorite cookies to make at Christmas time are Thumbprint Cookies . They are a holiday favorite and a great addition to any cookie platter.
So what are Thumbprint Cookies? If you haven’t had a jam thumbprint, you are in for a real treat! They are buttery, tender shortbread cookies with a sweet jam center. I like to use raspberry jam because it is sweet, tart, and I love the deep red color. But you can fill the thumbprints with your favorite jam!
They cookies are simple, but elegant and super delicious. You can’t go wrong with a classic!
- Cookie Ingredients
- How to Make Thumbprint Cookies
- How to Store Thumbprint Cookies
- How to Freeze Thumbprint Cookies
- Thumbprint Cookie FAQ
- More Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Cookie Ingredients
Simple ingredients come together to make the most amazing cookies!
- Flour – use all-purpose flour!
- Salt – to bring flavor to the cookies.
- Butter – Use unsalted butter and make sure it isn’t too soft or melted. You want the butter at cool room temperature.
- Sugar – you will need granulated sugar for the cookie dough and for rolling the cookies before baking.
- Brown sugar – I like to use a little brown sugar for flavor and to keep the cookies tender and not dry.
- Egg yolk – an egg yolk creates a rich cookie and holds everything together.
- Vanilla extract – a must! If you like almond extract, you can add ¼ teaspoon to the dough.
- Jam – I prefer raspberry jam, but any flavor will do! Make sure you use a nice, thick jam! Splurge to get a good quality jam since it’s a big part of the cookie! If your jam is SUPER thick, you can put it in a bowl and give it a good stir. If it is still too thick, heat it in the microwave for just a few seconds to loosen it up.
How to Make Thumbprint Cookies
These little gems are easy to make and SO pretty!
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside.
- Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to beat the butter and sugars together. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix on low until just combined. Don’t over mix the dough!
- Roll the dough into balls, about 1 ½ teaspoons per cookie. Place the remaining ½ cup sugar in a small bowl. Roll the balls in the sugar until well coated.
- Place on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat, you may need 2 sheets.
- Use the rounded back of a teaspoon or your thumb to gently press an indentation in the center each cookie dough ball. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven so it is hot and ready to go!
- Fill a small zipper-lock bag with the jam. Use scissors to snip a small corner off the bag. Carefully fill each indentation with about a ½ teaspoon of jam. Alternatively, you can use a small spoon or teaspoon to fill the centers with jam. Don’t over fill or the jam will ooze out in the oven. Less is best!
- Make sure the cookies are 2-inches apart on the baking sheets. Bake one pan at a time, for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are light golden brown.
How to Store Thumbprint Cookies
Store the cooled thumbprint cookies in an airtight container at room temperature on the counter. You don’t have to refrigerate the cookies. I don’t recommend stacking the cookies because of the jam.
These cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
How to Freeze Thumbprint Cookies
If you want to freeze cookies, I recommend freezing the unbaked cookies before adding jam.
Make the cookie dough and form them into thumbprints. Place the cookies on a tray and freeze until firm, about 30 minutes to an hour. Once frozen, transfer the the unbaked cookies to a freezer container or freezer bag and freeze for up to one month.
When ready to bake, preheat the oven and arrange the cookies on the baking sheets. Fill with jam and bake. It’s ok if the cookies are still a little frozen when going into the oven, you might have to add an additional minute to the baking time.
Make sure you use a thick jam and not a runny jam. I prefer raspberry jam, but strawberry, blackberry, apricot, or mixed berry are all good options. Use your favorite flavor.
Yes! If you don’t care for jam, fill the cookies with melted chocolate, lemon curd, salted caramel sauce, marmalade, or Nutella.
Fill the cookies with jam before baking so it can set up in the oven.
Make sure when you are pressing the back of the teaspoon or your thumb into the center of the cookie dough you don’t press too hard. Gently press! If the edges of the cookie start to crack a little, you can gently press it back together.
Make sure your butter isn’t too soft when making the dough. It should be at cool room temperature and not super soft or greasy. Also, don’t make your cookies too big, thumbprints are smaller cookies. And most importantly, make sure you you chill the dough! After you form the cookies, place the unbaked cookies in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will prevent them from spreading.
Yes! I recommend freezing the unbaked cookies before you fill them with jam. See above for my tips!
More Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Easy Sugar Cookies
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Andes Mint Cookies
- Snickerdoodles
- Chocolate Kiss Cookies
- Mexican Wedding Cookies
Cookies
Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Equipment
- Baking Sheets (I love these cookie sheets !)
- Stand Mixer (I’m obsessed with my KitchenAid)
- Silpat Baking Mat (these prevent cookies from sticking)
Ingredients1x2x3x
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup thick raspberry jam, or jam of your choice
Instructions
- In a medium bowl , whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter for 1 minute on medium speed. Add ½ cup of the granulated sugar and brown sugar and mix until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix on low until just combined.
- Roll the dough into balls, about 1 ½ teaspoons per cookie. Place the remaining ½ cup sugar in a small bowl. Roll the balls in the sugar until well coated.
- Place on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat , you may need 2 sheets.
- Use the rounded back of a teaspoon or your thumb to gently press an indentation in the center each cookie dough ball. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Fill a small zipper-lock bag with the jam. Use scissors to snip a small corner off the bag. Carefully fill each indentation with about a ½ teaspoon of jam. Don’t over fill or the jam will ooze out in the oven. Less is best!
- Make sure the cookies are 2-inches apart on the baking sheets. Bake one pan at a time, for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are light golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
Ginger Molasses Rolo Cookies
Recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup molasses, I like Grandma’s
- 30 Rolo candies, unwrapped
- 1/2 cup white sanding sugar, for rolling cookies (can use granulated sugar)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla and mix until combined. Pour in the molasses and beat until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Don’t over mix.
- Take about 1 tablespoon of cookie dough and wrap around one Rolo candy. Make sure the Rolo is completely covered with cookie dough. Place the sugar in a small bowl. Roll the dough ball in the sugar until completely coated. Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, about 2-inches apart.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or just until the cookies are barely set around the edges and soft in the centers. Don’t over bake. Remove from the oven and let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
