Butternut Squash Molasses Cookies

By Jeanie Rose | Winter Squash

Apr 08

Butternut Molasses Cookies at FreshBitesDaily.comWhen I first viewed this recipe, I felt dubious because of the quantity of molasses. After years of flipping past the page, I decided to give it a try. After all, Yvonne Young Tarr has never been accused of a wrong turn in her recipes. This is from her Squash Cookbook, copyright 1978. The three nine-year-old boys who tasted the first batch of cookies did not ask about the molasses. They just wanted to know if there were any more cookies left.

I love these little gems when they are still warm. The outside is crusty and the inside is soft and a bit chewy. I added to Yvonne’s cookie plan by using half spelt flour and half all-purpose, and by sprinkling the tops of the cookies with granulated sugar before going in the oven. I knew that visually these very dark little cake-cookies needed to grab the interest of the young boys I love to feed. We now call them gingerbread cookies. They are like a nugget of gingerbread to enjoy with your coffee or tea.

In spite of all the enjoyment, remember you are sneaking in some vegetable power and a sweetener (molasses) that is full of vitamins and minerals. The freshly ground spelt is high in the enzymes that break down phytic acid. Of course, don’t breathe a word of this to the younger generation. After they grow up healthier than most, you can let them in on your little secrets.

Butternut Squash Molasses Cookies Ingredients

Butternut Molasses Cookies at FreshBitesDaily.com

  • 5 tablespoons butter or coconut oil
  • 3/4 cups each turbinado sugar (or white) and molasses
  • 2/3 cups butternut squash puree or pumpkin puree
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups freshly ground spelt flour
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup hot water
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Butternut Squash Molasses Cookies Steps

Butternut Molasses Cookies at FreshBitesDaily.com

  1. Using a mixer, beat the butter until fluffy.
  2. Slowly add the sugar, scraping the sides of the bowl to ensure proper mixing.
  3. Mix in the molasses and squash puree, combining well.
  4. Add the egg and blend thoroughly.
  5. Mix all the dry ingredients together.
  6. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the hot water to the butter and molasses mixture. Blend well after each addition, scraping the sides of the bowl.
  7. Liberally grease two cooky sheets.
  8. Drop the dough by tablespoonful on the sheet. These cookies do not spread much, but give them plenty of room just the same so the sides will crisp up to the max.
  9. Sprinkle each cookie with a bit of granulated sugar for some sparkle on the top.
  10. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes.
  11. Allow to cool on the pan.

These cookies are soft, so handle them carefully in storage. They are worth the extra care. If you are not going to freeze them, any airtight container will do. If you do freeze them, consider freezing them on the tray first and then transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer container. Once frozen, they do not tend to break.

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Stealthy Mom
12 years ago

Yay! We have some squash left from dinner on Friday…. and now we have a use for it!

Sushi 89117
12 years ago

Sounds odd but I bet it actually tastes amazing.

Stan
12 years ago

Those three nine-year-old boys must be really lucky. Why can’t i be 9 anymore? Nobody bakes cookies for me anymore 🙁

I like the granulated sugar idea, seeing how dark they are, they might turn people down without it. Especially children.

Debbie Drummond
12 years ago

Molasses is more healthier and a better substitute than using sugar. I’ve tried Butternut Squash in varieties of recipe but not with molasses, it never occurred to me. The cookies are looking very crispy.

Nicholle
Nicholle
12 years ago

I don’t eat squash when it was cooked with other veggies but a squash into cookies I ate it. I am glad to know that there is some people like you that are very concern about traditional foods. My Mom use to cook squash with other veggies and particularly I don’t eat.

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