Soft spiced molasses sandwich cookies with cream cheese filling
Prep Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours
Yield: 20-24 sandwich cookies
These molasses tree pies are soft, chewy molasses cookies shaped like Christmas trees and filled with a creamy cream cheese frosting. Think moon pie–style cookies, but richer, spiced, and perfect for a holiday cookie exchange.
Favorite holiday cookie cutters
Ingredients
Molasses Cookies
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2¼ cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
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1½ teaspoons baking soda
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2 teaspoons ground ginger
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1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
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¼ teaspoon ground cloves
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¼ teaspoon nutmeg
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¼ teaspoon salt
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¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
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½ cup (100g) packed brown sugar
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¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
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⅓ cup unsulphured or dark molasses (not blackstrap)
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1 large egg, room temperature
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2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For Rolling
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⅓ cup granulated or coarse sugar
Cream Cheese Filling
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1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
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1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
2. Cream Butter & Sugars
In a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on high speed until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.
Add the molasses and mix until combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides as needed.
3. Combine & Chill the Dough
With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until just combined. The dough will be slightly sticky.
Cover tightly and chill for at least 1 hour (or up to 2–3 days).
4. Prepare for Baking
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
If the dough chilled longer than 2 hours, let it sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes so it’s easier to work with.
5. Roll, Cut & Bake
Lightly roll or press out the dough on a floured surface. Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter (lightly greased with avocado oil so the dough doesn’t stick).
Roll each cookie in granulated sugar and place them 3 inches apart on the baking sheets.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
6. Cool Completely
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before filling.
Cream Cheese Filling
In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a piping bag and refrigerate until ready to use.
Assemble the Molasses Tree Pies
Once cookies are completely cool, pipe small stars of cream cheese filling around the edges of one cookie and a few dots in the center. Top with another cookie to create a sandwich.
Optional: Dust lightly with powdered sugar for a snow-like finish.
✨ Tips for Perfect Molasses Sandwich Cookies
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Do not overbake — soft centers are key
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Chill the dough for best flavor and texture
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Great for holiday baking, gifting, and cookie exchanges
