Chewy Frosted Orange Ginger Molasses Cookies

This chewy frosted orange ginger molasses cookie might just be my favorite cookie ever. And it is not just mine. It was a fan favorite at every market. Customers requested it weekly, the coffee shop could not get enough, and it pairs perfectly with lattes and matcha tea.

I originally planned to wait and shoot a full photo spread for this orange ginger molasses cookie recipe instead of using the photos I took for the markets. But since I plan to bake them closer to Thanksgiving for my family, I could not resist sharing this recipe now. It is simply too good to keep to myself. These cookies are perfect for the holidays, yet they are truly an all year round treat. They fit summer gatherings, cozy fall days, and they will absolutely be on my Christmas cookie menu.

This cookie is made for orange, ginger, and molasses lovers. It is bold, rich, and full of flavor. The combination of citrus zest, warm ginger spice, and deep molasses creates a perfectly balanced cookie that is anything but mild. One bite, and you will be reaching for another.

These cookies are magical: you can make them days in advance, and they only get better with time (no drying out here!). Even when stored in the freezer, they remain chewy and perfect.

Chewy Frosted Orange Ginger Molasses Cookies

Not only are these cookies incredibly delicious, but they’re also stunning to look at. They add so much charm to any dessert table, cookie gift box, and the combination of candied orange with the chewy ginger cookie is absolutely irresistible. To top it off, the glaze is infused with vibrant orange flavor, making each bite even more soooo goooood.

Over the past two years, I’ve baked so many cookies for markets that never made it to the blog—but that’s about to change! I plan to share more of those recipes with you, even if I don’t have step-by-step tutorials for them just yet. These cookies are too good to keep hidden!

Eventually, I’ll remake each recipe with detailed how-to photos and videos, but for now, they’re sitting in my albums, ready to make their big debut. I’m talking Snickers cookies, pink sugar cookies, pistachio cookies, lavender ginger cookies, chocolate peanut butter cookies, chocolate mint cookies, marshmallow oatmeal cookies… and the list goes on and on!

Ingredients For Chewy Orange Ginger Cookies:

• All-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 blend)
• Baking soda
• Sea salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground ginger
• Unsalted butter
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Egg
• Molasses
• Vanilla extract
• Orange zest
• Orange extract

Ingredients For Orange Glaze:

• Powdered sugar
• Meringue powder (optional, but helps harden the icing)
• Water
• Vanilla extract
• Orange extract

Toppings:

• Orange zest
• Candied orange slices

How to make Chewy Orange Ginger Molasses Cookies:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, sea salt, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger. Set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the room-temperature butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
4. Scrape down the edges of the bowl, then mix in the egg, molasses, vanilla extract, orange extract, and orange zest until well combined.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
6. Measure 65-gram portions of dough and roll them into dough balls. Place them at least 2 ½ inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. (They spread a lot, so give them plenty of room.)
7. Bake the cookies until set, about 12-14 minutes. You do not want to overcook these, so take them out before they are done, and they’ll continue to cook as they cool.
8. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, use the back of a spoon to gently nudge the edges toward the center, creating a slight lip to hold the icing. This also helps the cookies maintain a circular shape after spreading.
9. Let the cookies cool completely before adding the orange glaze.

How to make Orange Icing:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar, meringue powder (if using), water, vanilla extract, and orange extract.
2. Mix until the glaze is smooth and lump-free.
   • If the glaze is too runny, add more powdered sugar a little at a time.
   • If it’s too thick to spread, add water, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
3. Spoon about one tablespoon of glaze onto each cooled cookie and spread evenly.
4. Garnish with orange zest and a candied orange slice for the finishing touch.

Do you love ginger recipes? Here are some of my favorite!
Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies with Chai Latte Buttercream Filling
Soft & Chewy Frosted Gingerbread Cookies
Frosted Gingerbread Muffins | So Easy to Make!
Gingerbread Cookie Bars w Cream Cheese Frosting | GF, DF

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Here are my favorite holiday recipes that will pair perfect with these cookies!
Cranberry Orange Almond Cake with Mascarpone Buttercream
The Best Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls: Easy Overnight Recipe
Pumpkin Spice Crinkle Cookies
The Best Peanut Butter Fudge with Oreos| Easy to Make
4-Ingredient Cinnamon Sticky Buns | A Breakfast Tradition!
Lemon Poppy Linzer Cookies with Raspberry Filling
Grandpa’s Gumdrop Cookies | Christmas Cookie Tradition

These are seriously the best candied oranges I’ve ever had and I could easily eat an entire bag! They’re from Trader Joe’s, but I know not everyone has one nearby. The good news? You can also find them on Amazon! I wasn’t able to run to Trader Joe’s all the time while doing the markets because it was so far away, and so I’d order them online, and they came just as fresh and in time for markets. 

If you’re looking to make these ASAP, you can check the candy section of your local store for candied orange slices. Alternatively, you can make your own by sprinkling fresh orange slices with sugar and baking them until they’re perfectly candied. I was even thinking of making a spiced gumdrop version of this for Christmas. Try using orange Gumdrops!

I’ll be updating the blog photos with more tutorials after Thanksgiving when I make these again! I can’t wait to see them sitting next to the cranberry almond cake and pumpkin pie! I have my cranberry sauce and apple pie hitting the blog this weekend!

How to Store Orange Ginger Molasses Cookies

1. At Room Temperature:
   • Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
   • Place a sheet of parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking, especially if glazed.
2. In the Refrigerator:
   • Refrigeration isn’t necessary for these cookies, but if you prefer a chilled texture, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
3. In the Freezer:
   • Baked Cookies: Once completely cooled, freeze the cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Add parchment between layers to prevent sticking.
   • Glazed Cookies: Allow the glaze to set completely before freezing.

I truly cannot wait for you all to try this cookie recipe, especially the orange & ginger lovers! Please please come back and share your thoughts if you make this recipe. That helps me as a recipe blogger! 

Questions for you:

1. Are you a fan of orange and ginger?
2. Will you be trying this recipe!?
3. What is your favorite holiday cookie recipe?