Joe Froggers

Transport your taste buds to the rich history of New England with Joe Froggers—a soft, oversized molasses cookie that blends warm spices, dark molasses, and a splash of rum for a uniquely bold flavor. Perfectly chewy with a hint of ginger and nutmeg, these cookies are a nostalgic reminder of maritime traditions. Named after a legendary tavern owner in Colonial Massachusetts, Joe Froggers boast a delightful balance of sweetness and spice, making them a standout treat for any occasion. This recipe’s simple ingredients and straightforward techniques yield a batch of 24 generously sized cookies that stay tender for days—or can be frozen for future indulgence. Whether served with coffee or enjoyed as a snack, these molasses cookies are a timeless classic that invites you to savor history in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 50/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 3.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon Ground ginger
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 cup Unsalted butter
• 1 cup Brown sugar, packed
• 0.5 cup Dark molasses
• 0.25 cup Hot water
• 2 tablespoons Rum

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, and salt. Set aside.

Step 2

In a separate bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed.

Step 3

Slowly beat the molasses into the butter and sugar mixture until fully incorporated.

Step 4

In a small bowl, combine the hot water and rum. Stir this liquid mixture into the wet ingredients.

Step 5

Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms. The dough will be sticky.

Step 6

Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten each portion into a disc, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. This chilling helps make the dough easier to handle.

Step 7

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 8

On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter (around 3 inches in diameter) to cut out cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between cookies.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. Do not overbake.

Step 10

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 11

Repeat the rolling, cutting, and baking process with the second dough disc.

Step 12

Store Joe Froggers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. These cookies also freeze well for longer storage!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	897.4 grams (897.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3112

Total Fat 54.50g	70%
Saturated Fat 29.50g	148%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 128mg	43%
Sodium 2560mg	111%
Total Carbohydrate 609.70g	222%
Dietary Fiber 12.20g	44%
Total Sugars 285.70g
Protein 44.20g	88%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 497mg	38%
Iron 27mg	149%
Potassium 2510mg	53%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 15.8%

Protein: 5.7%

Carbs: 78.5%