The Laura Ingalls Wilder Cookies That Are Simple, Nostalgic and Perfect for Fall

Molly Allen

Tue, September 30, 2025 at 12:01 AM UTC

4 min read

Laura Ingalls Wilder's molasses cookies, a favorite of the Little House on the Prairie author, offer a unique blend of old-fashioned flavors with a modern twist.
The recipe for these cookies includes ingredients like molasses, rolled oats, and shredded coconut, creating a soft and chewy texture with a perfect balance of sweetness and richness.
Baking these Little House on the Prairie molasses cookies provides a comforting and nostalgic experience, offering a taste of history with a delicious and wholesome treat for early fall.

I have always been someone who loves to bake her way through old-fashioned and vintage recipes , the types of baked goods that have been passed down through generations. I think there's something so special about pulling a recipe from the past and seeing if it can stand the test of time. So when I stumbled across a recipe for Laura Ingalls Wilder's molasses cookies, my nostalgia-loving heart knew I had to give it a try.

Many of us know Laura Ingalls Wilder as the author of the Little House on the Prairie children's book series, a saga that captured the details of pioneer life and inspired the long-running television series starring Melissa Gilbert and Michael Landon . Wilder's stories painted such a beautiful portrait of American family life in the Midwest , but we often overlook how much food and cooking were woven into the tales. The author often described meals and recipes that reflected the simplicity and resourcefulness of her time, making them feel both practical and timeless.

These molasses cookies , in particular, were a favorite of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Wilder. I first spotted them in a Little House on the Prairie –themed TikTok video and ended up using a version from Tori Avey , who shares the recipe on her website along with helpful notes and photos. The original recipe comes from The Laura Ingalls Wilder Country Cookbook , which preserves many of the recipes she either cooked herself or collected from her family and friends.

On paper, they are definitely the kind of treat that belongs to another era, but as a former professional baker, a few details stood out to me. Molasses is a deeply old-fashioned ingredient that lends a rich, slightly earthy-smoky sweetness to baked goods that's unlike anything you can achieve with white sugar. They're made with a surprisingly long list of ingredients, including molasses, rolled oats and shredded coconut, but making the cookie dough is simple.

Would these cookies taste dated, or would they still be delicious in these modern times? There was only one way to find out. Here's what happened when I made Laura Ingalls Wilder's molasses cookies in my kitchen.

Ingredients You Need to Make the Little House on the Prairie Molasses Cookies

For these molasses cookies, you'll need unsweetened coconut, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, one egg, molasses, rolled oats, all-purpose flour, salt, allspice, nutmeg, ground cloves, baking powder, baking soda and a small amount of grated orange zest or orange extract.

😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter . 🍳 🍔

How to Make the Little House on the Prairie Molasses Cookies

The dough for these cookies comes together simply. First, preheat the oven to 325° and prep two cookie sheets by lining them with parchment paper or spraying them with cooking spray. Rehydrate the shredded coconut by placing it in a small bowl with water.

Start the cookie dough by creaming the butter and sugar, and then beat in the egg and molasses. Whisk together all of the dry ingredients, and then add the butter mixture to it. Drain and mix in the coconut and the orange zest and add it to the dough.

Drop the dough by spoonfuls onto the cookie sheets, with 12 cookies to each sheet. Then, bake the cookies for 15 to 18 minutes. Store leftover cookies in a plastic zip-top bag or a sealed container.

My Honest Thoughts About the Little House on the Prairie Molasses Cookies

I was a bit skeptical when I first read through the ingredients list and directions for these cookies. The recipe is quite different from many modern cookie doughs—a true testament to its old-fashioned roots. No creaming butter and sugar for several minutes is required here: just straightforward mixing, which keeps the recipe approachable but also highlights how baking looked in another era.

But once baked, the result was unlike any cookie I've made before. They're relatively flat, yet wonderfully soft and chewy. The texture isn't your typical dense or crisp cookie, but that's exactly what makes them so appealing. Flavor-wise, they strike a perfect balance: they're not overly sweet and have the deep, rich notes of molasses lifted by the orange zest. It's a unique combination that feels both nostalgic and fresh, making these cookies an ideal, comforting treat for early fall. These molasses cookies are pure wholesome awesomeness, just like Little House on the Prairie .

Tips for Making the Little House on the Prairie Molasses Cookies

Space things out

These cookies can spread quite a bit, so be sure to leave plenty of space in between each one on the baking sheet.

Watch them like a hawk

They can also over-bake quickly, so definitely keep an eye on them in the oven.

Wait!

Let the cookies fully cool before eating them, as this helps to develop the flavor even further.

Up Next:

This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 30, 2025, where it first appeared in the Food & Drink section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.