• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Proportional Plate
  • RECIPES
  • LIFESTYLE
  • DESIGN
  • ABOUT
  • SUBSCRIBE
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • LIFESTYLE
  • DESIGN
  • ABOUT
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • LIFESTYLE
    • DESIGN
    • ABOUT
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Sweets

    Pomegranate Orange Molasses Cookies

    Published: Oct 2, 2020 Modified: Oct 1, 2020 by Candice

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN RECIPE
    Cookies spread out on a white countertop.
    Ten cookies lined up in two rows.
    10 cookies lined up on a white countertop in two rows.

    Pomegranate, orange, and clove flavors are the perfect thing to spice up your holiday baking in these chewy and delicious pomegranate orange molasses cookies.

    Ten cookies lined up in two rows.
    TABLE OF CONTENTS hide
    1 Why You Should Make this Recipe
    2 Ingredients
    3 Step-by-Step Recipe with Photos
    4 Molasses Cookies FAQs, Tips & Tricks
    5 More Recipes that Use Pomegranate Molasses
    6 Pomegranate Molasses Cookies

    Why You Should Make this Recipe

    I love pomegranate molasses in savory cooking. Since I always have it on hand, I was inspired to make this cookie recipe. After many tests, I found the perfect balance of flavors and textures in this special twist on molasses cookies.

    Soft and chewy cookies are the absolute best, and these pomegranate orange molasses cookies are the perfect combination of sweet and citrus flavors.

    Molasses is a thick sweet syrup that's great for dessert recipes, and made even better when infused with tangy pomegranate. The orange adds a blast of citrus to cut through the sweet, giving the molasses cookies a delicious balanced flavor.

    This cookie dough is easy to make and can be made way ahead of time if you need it, as it freezes well and bakes as if it was freshly made. If you’re looking for a fun and unique version of a molasses cookie, you’ve found it! Trust me, they’re seriously addictive.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for cookies on a white countertop including pomegranate molasses, orange flavor, and cloves.

    pomegranate molasses - Since pomegranate molasses is on the sour side, it is not typically used in baking recipes. Molasses is the primary sweetener in this recipe, and the balance of orange and cloves in this recipe makes the sourness of the pomegranate the perfect pairing.

    orange flavor - you can substitute with extract. The orange is a necessary element in this recipe. If you leave it out, the flavor of the cookies will be soapy.

    baking soda - this recipe uses baking soda to help spread the cookies. Do not substitute with baking powder.

    Step-by-Step Recipe with Photos

    With an electric mixer (link opens in new tab) or stand mixer (link opens in new tab), beat ¼ cup of unsalted butter with ¼ cup of dark brown sugar until light in color and texture.

    Stand mixer bowl with butter and sugar beaten together.

    Beat in 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil until well-mixed.

    Scrape the batter down the sides of the bowl. Then add 3 tablespoons of pomegranate molasses and the 1 egg. Beat until well-mixed.

    Batter in a stand mixer bowl.

    Sift in 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon cloves, and ¼ teaspoon salt, mixing in with a spatula halfway through then continuing. Use your hands if necessary.

    Cover the dough chill until firm, about 2 hours.

    Cookie batter in a stand mixer bowl with a rubber spatula.

    Heat the oven to 375°F. If the dough was chilling longer than 2 hours, let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes while the oven preheats.

    Measure the dough into tablespoon-size pieces and roll each piece to form 1-inch balls.

    Roll the balls in a dish with granulated sugar to coat. Put the balls 2 inches apart on lightly greased cookie sheets or a silicone baking mat (link opens in new tab).

    One ball of cookie dough in a plate filled with sugar.

    Bake until the center surface of the cookies is barely dry, 9 to 10 minutes (don’t overbake). Let cool on the sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack (link opens in new tab) to cool completely.

    Cookies on a baking sheet before and after baking.

    Pairs beautifully around the holidays with a Whipped Eggnog or London Fog Latte. But my favorite pairing is with a simple, unsweetened, 2-ingredient matcha.

    Cookies spread out on a white countertop.

    Molasses Cookies FAQs, Tips & Tricks

    How long do molasses cookies stay fresh?

    Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature for 1 week.

    Can you make the dough in advance?

    You can make the cookie dough and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

    Can I freeze the baked cookies?

    Once baked, the cookies freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

    Can I freeze unbaked cookie dough?

    If freezing unbaked cookie dough, do so after rolling them into balls but before rolling in sugar. They will freeze well for up to 3 months. Let the dough balls sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then roll them in granulated sugar and bake as directed.

    More Recipes that Use Pomegranate Molasses

    I love cooking with pomegranate molasses. It adds a beautiful sweet and sour flavor profile to any dish:

    • Pomegranate Molasses Lamb
    • Herb Salad with Pomegranate Miso Dressing
    • Roasted Radicchio & Persimmon Salad
    • Cast-Iron Pomegranate Molasses Roasted Chicken
    • Pomegranate Molasses Roasted Brussel Sprouts
    • Fesenjoon - Persian Pomegranate & Walnut Chicken Stew

    ... or check out all the sweets on the blog here like this personal fall favorite, persimmon muffins.

    ★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!★

    I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m up to.

    Ten cookies lined up in two rows.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 15 votes

    Pomegranate Molasses Cookies

    Pomegranate, orange, and cloves are the perfect flavors to spice up your holiday baking with these chewy pomegranate orange molasses cookies.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Resting Time2 hrs
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American, Middle-Eastern
    Diet: Kosher, Vegetarian
    Servings: 24 cookies
    Calories: 67kcal
    Author: Candice

    Equipment

    • Mixer (hand or stand)

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup all-purpose flour 4.5 oz.
    • 1 tsp. baking soda
    • ½ tsp. ground cloves
    • 2 tsp. orange extract or flavor
    • ¼ tsp. sea salt
    • ¼ cup unsalted butter softened, 2 oz.
    • ¼ cup dark brown sugar packed tight
    • 1 Tbs. vegetable oil
    • 3 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
    • 1 egg
    • ¼ cup Granulated sugar for rolling

    Instructions

    (Minimum) 2 Hours Before Baking

    • With an electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until light in color and texture.
    • Beat in the oil until well-mixed.
    • Scrape the batter down the sides of the bowl. Then add the pomegranate molasses, orange extract, and the egg. Beat until well-mixed.
    • Sift in the flour, baking soda, cloves, and salt, mixing in with a spatula halfway through then continuing. Use your hands if necessary.
    • Cover the dough chill until firm, about 2 hours.

    To Bake

    • Heat the oven to 375°F. If the dough was chilling longer than 2 hours, let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes while the oven preheats.
    • Measure the dough into tablespoon-size pieces and roll each piece to form 1-inch balls.
    • Roll the balls in a dish with granulated sugar to coat. Put the balls 2 inches apart on lightly greased cookie sheets or a silicone baking mat.
    • Bake until the center surface of the cookies is barely dry, 9 to 10 minutes (don’t overbake).
    • Let cool on the sheets for 5 minutes.
    • Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Notes

    Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature for 1 week.
    You can make the cookie dough and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
    Once baked, the cookies freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
    If freezing unbaked cookie dough, do so after rolling them into balls but before rolling in sugar. They will freeze well for up to 3 months. Let the dough balls sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then roll them in granulated sugar and bake as directed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 67kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 69IU | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @ProportionalPlate or tag #ProportionalPlate on Instagram! I'd love to see what you're making!
    « Sweet & Spicy Pan-Fried Tofu
    Mashed Potato Latkes »
    208 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amy M

      September 03, 2021 at 10:00 pm

      5 stars
      Made my own pomegranate molasses and wanted to make cookies with it. This recipe is delicious! Cookies are very light and flavorful. Yum!

      Reply
      • Candice

        September 10, 2021 at 10:04 am

        I'm so glad to hear it, Amy... thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    2. Joan Ellsworth

      December 15, 2020 at 6:22 pm

      You said in your description don't leave out the orange flavor or cookies will be soapy. Well then, you don't say when to add the orange extract. With the liquids, I presume. I did and it worked fine. Dough is cooling. Looking forward to the baking.

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 16, 2020 at 8:48 am

        You put it in at the perfect time... I'll update the oversight now!

        Reply
    3. Rachel

      November 18, 2020 at 3:14 pm

      I really like this recipe and it seems perfect for my homemade pomegranate molasses. I'm confused because in the recipe directions step 4 says "Sift in the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt, mixing in with a spatula halfway through then continuing. Use your hands if necessary." and yet there is no measurement for cinnamon and ginger in the ingredients. Nor in the step by step instructions. Would you please clarify? Thank you!!!

      Reply
      • Candice

        November 29, 2020 at 8:09 am

        My mistake, Rachel... there is no cinnamon or ginger in the cookies.

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Woman with a flower.

    Candice Walker

    On this blog, I get to share the food that I love, and get to enjoy in my own home. My heritage influences most of my recipes, and my travels inspire it. And I'm sure you'll notice my love for everything matcha. Welcome, and enjoy!

    READ MORE

    Follow

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Winter Recipes

    • Persimmon Pancakes
    • Saffron Bamieh
    • Potato Knishes
    • Matcha Lace Cookies (like Florentines)

    As Featured In

    Collage of logos.

    Fan Favorites

    • Persimmon Bread & Baking with Persimmons
    • Dalgona Matcha Latte
    • Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream
    • Quick & Easy Steak Taco Recipe

    SUBSCRIBE w/EMAIL

    6 Healthy & Plant-Centered Trends for 2020, Meal Plans, & So Much More!




    Disclosure and Privacy Policy

    Woman with a flower.

    Candice Walker

    On this blog, I get to share the food that I love, and get to enjoy in my own home. My heritage influences most of my recipes, and my travels inspire it. And I'm sure you'll notice my love for everything matcha. Welcome, and enjoy!

    READ MORE

    Follow

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Winter Recipes

    • Homemade Pita Bread
    • The Ultimate Crispy Latke Recipe
    • Irish Matcha & Baileys Irish Matcha
    • Matcha Irish Cream (Like Baileys!)

    As Featured In

    Collage of logos.

    Fan Favorites

    • Easy Homemade Gnocchi
    • Pasta Puttanesca
    • Cardamom Krumkake with Mascarpone Filling
    • Cranberry Orange Scones

    SUBSCRIBE w/EMAIL

    6 Healthy & Plant-Centered Trends for 2020, Meal Plans, & So Much More!




    Disclosure and Privacy Policy

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Candice
    • About Food Guilt

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Proportional Plate LLC

    208 shares