17 Ways To Use Molasses That Aren’t Gingerbread

Molasses might scream gingerbread to most people, but it’s so much more than just a holiday sidekick. This rich, syrupy ingredient has the range—think cookies, bread, and even savory dishes that pack serious flavor without being boring. Here are some great ideas on how to use it without going the typical gingerbread route.

Molasses Cookies

A plate with two sugar-topped, crinkle cookies sits next to a cup of coffee on a wooden table. A striped cloth and a cinnamon stick are nearby, creating a warm, cozy atmosphere. — Molasses Cookies. Photo credit: Well Fed Baker.

Soft and rich, these molasses cookies skip the gingerbread and stand on their own. Perfect for holidays or whenever you need a sweet with a little depth, they bring all the cozy vibes without overcomplicating things.
Get the Recipe: Molasses Cookies

Applesauce Fritters

A white plate with glazed apple fritters, featuring chunks of apple visible in the dough. Next to the plate are two cinnamon sticks and a glass bowl filled with apples. Several apples are scattered in the background. — Applesauce Fritters. Photo credit: Hilda’s Kitchen Blog.

Crispy edges and a soft center make these fritters a great way to use applesauce. They’re easy to whip up and feel just right when fall starts creeping in. Bonus: they’re as snackable as they are simple.
Get the Recipe: Applesauce Fritters

Chick-Fil-A Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies cooling on a black wire rack, arranged closely together. Golden-brown with chunks of chocolate visible, they rest on brown parchment paper. Perfectly textured and tempting. — Chick-Fil-A Chocolate Chunk Cookies. Photo credit: I Heart Eating.

These big, soft cookies bring Chick-fil-A’s chocolate chunk favorite straight to your kitchen. Easy to bake and packed with chocolate, they’re a simple way to make dessert feel a little extra without much work.
Get the Recipe: Chick-Fil-A Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Chewy and packed with oats and raisins, these cookies are a solid pick when you want something classic. Crispy on the edges and soft in the middle, they’re just sweet enough without feeling over the top.
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

A chocolate pecan pie with one slice removed, placed on a white textured plate alongside a fork. The pie is on a decorative white platter, and a pie server rests nearby on a light-colored surface. A cloth napkin is partially visible. — Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie. Photo credit: Champagne Tastes.

This pie takes a classic Southern dessert and makes it shine with chocolate, molasses, and bourbon. It’s sweet, bold, and a great choice when you want to wow at the dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Iced Molasses Cookies

Iced cookies arranged on a blue cloth with a glass of milk beside them. The cookies have a cracked surface with white icing, and white flower petals are scattered around the setup. — Iced Molasses Cookies. Photo credit: An Affair from the Heart.

These cookies keep it simple and classic—chewy with a sweet powdered sugar icing on top. They’re a throwback treat that always hits the spot, whether for a holiday spread or just because.
Get the Recipe: Iced Molasses Cookies

Five Bean Baked Beans

A white rectangular dish filled with a colorful mix of baked beans, including kidney and chickpeas, garnished with herbs and peppers. A gold and white spoon rests on a blue cloth beside the dish. — Five Bean Baked Beans. Photo credit: An Affair from the Heart.

Quick, hearty, and packed with plant protein, these baked beans are a great go-to for potlucks or weeknight dinners. They come together in 20 minutes and bring all the flavor without any hassle.
Get the Recipe: Five Bean Baked Beans

Chewy Molasses Cookies

A stack of round, golden-brown cookies on crumpled parchment paper. Several cookies are spread around, and a lit candle is nearby. A cozy, textured blanket and pine branches are blurred in the background, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. — Chewy Molasses Cookies. Photo credit: Kelly Neil.

Rich with molasses and spices, these chewy cookies are an easy win for a quick, no-fuss treat. They’re packed with old-school charm and perfect for baking up when you want something simple and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Molasses Cookies

Iced Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Close-up of several glazed oatmeal cookies with one partially eaten, showing their chewy interior. The cookies are resting on a wire rack, suggesting they are freshly baked. — Iced Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies. Photo credit: The Soccer Mom Blog.

These soft oatmeal cookies add pumpkin to the mix and top it all off with a sweet cinnamon glaze. Perfect for fall and easy to share, they’ll quickly become a favorite for anyone who loves pumpkin season.
Get the Recipe: Iced Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Simit

A white plate with two pieces of sesame-coated bread, a wedge of white cheese, chopped red and green peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and a dollop of dark jam, arranged artfully. — Simit. Photo credit: Cooking Gorgeous.

Simit, a sesame-covered Turkish bread, brings a crunchy crust and soft center to your breakfast or snack table. It’s simple to make and pairs great with jam, cheese, or just a strong cup of coffee.
Get the Recipe: Simit

Chewy Iced Molasses Cookies

Spiced with molasses, cinnamon, and ginger, these chewy cookies are festive without being too fancy. Add a quick icing on top, and they’re great for the holidays—or whenever you need an excuse to bake something nostalgic.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Iced Molasses Cookies

Nutmeg Cookies

These nutmeg-spiced cookies are as good to look at as they are to eat, thanks to beautiful cookie stamps. They’re simple enough for a casual baking day but polished enough for a holiday platter.
Get the Recipe: Nutmeg Cookies

Rye Flour Banana Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting

Rye flour and molasses give this banana bread a rustic vibe, while the cream cheese frosting adds a sweet finish. It’s a great way to mix up your usual banana bread routine with something a little heartier.
Get the Recipe: Rye Flour Banana Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting

Sausage Rolls

These vegetarian sausage rolls bring all the comfort of childhood snacks back to your kitchen. Crisp pastry and savory filling make them a perfect party appetizer or a fun treat for yourself.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Rolls

Chocolate Fudge Brownies

These brownies strike the right balance between rich and not-too-sweet. Easy to make and great for chocolate lovers, they’re a dessert that never goes out of style.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Fudge Brownies

Molasses Crinkle Cookies

Thick and chewy with just the right amount of spice, these crinkle cookies get a boost from molasses and brown butter. Their crackled tops make them look just as great as they taste.
Get the Recipe: Molasses Crinkle Cookies

BBQ Asian Pork

Sweet, sticky, and a little spicy, this slow-cooked BBQ pork is perfect for feeding a crowd. Whether on a charcoal grill or in the oven, it’s a solid pick for Sunday dinners or family get-togethers that need a bold centerpiece.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Asian Pork

Gina Matsoukas

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.