Citric Acid Free Classic Molasses Ginger Cookies

Warm spices, deep molasses flavor, and those signature crackled sugar tops — these cookies are the kind of treat that fills your kitchen with the best possible smell. Citric acid hides in more packaged snacks and baked goods than most people realize, often tucked into ingredient lists as a preservative or flavor enhancer, which makes store-bought cookies a minefield. This recipe keeps things beautifully straightforward: flour, butter, egg, molasses, and a handful of spices you likely already have in your pantry — nothing that should raise any flags. The unsulfured molasses brings a rich, slightly bitter depth that plays perfectly against the warmth of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Chilling the dough before baking is the secret to getting that chewy center with just the right amount of snap at the edges, so don't skip that step. Rolling each ball in granulated sugar before it hits the oven gives you that sparkly, crackled crust that makes these cookies look as good as they taste. They're simple, satisfying, and exactly the kind of from-scratch baking that lets you enjoy a classic without second-guessing a single ingredient.

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