How to Use Blackstrap Molasses

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 17, 2021 References

Blackstrap molasses is rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium, and iron. It comes directly from the sugarcane plant and contains the most nutritious parts of the plant.^{[1]
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Research source} Blackstrap molasses is high on the glycemic scale, so it should only be consumed in small amounts. It is a versatile substance and can be used in a variety of areas, such as food preparation, medicine, and gardening. You can use blackstrap molasses in baking and cooking as a natural sweetener. You can also use it as a natural remedy for medical issues and in your garden to improve the soil.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Baking with Blackstrap Molasses

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Bake gingerbread cookies with molasses. Blackstrap molasses is an essential ingredient in many gingerbread cookie recipes. A few tablespoons of organic blackstrap molasses in gingerbread cookies can add sweetness and nutrients to the recipe. Try a classic gingerbread cookie recipe or make gingerbread men cookies for the holidays.^{[2]
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- You can also make gingerbread cookies that are gluten free and vegan using molasses, rolled oat flour, pepita seed powder, and maple syrup.^{[3]
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Make pumpkin pie with molasses. A few tablespoons of blackstrap molasses in pumpkin pie can add a smoky sweetness to the dessert. Try adding molasses to an existing pumpkin pie recipe, replacing the sugar with molasses, or use a pumpkin pie recipe that incorporates molasses.^{[4]
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- If you are vegan or want to cut down on your dairy intake, make a vegan pumpkin pie with molasses.^{[5]
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Use molasses in muffins and cookies. Blackstrap molasses is also great in muffins and cookies. Prepare muffins with fruits and molasses. Or make molasses spice cookies.^{[6]
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- You can also prepare pumpkin pie cookies with molasses.
- Molasses is also good in loaves, such as a chocolate gingerbread loaf.^{[7]
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Make raw energy balls with molasses. Molasses’ sticky consistency is great for making raw energy balls. Add molasses to homemade power bars or energy balls to bind together the ingredients. Using molasses instead of honey or maple syrup can add more nutrients and a deeper flavor to the raw energy balls.^{[8]
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- Prepare raw energy balls with molasses, almonds, and dried fruit.^{[9]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Cooking with Blackstrap Molasses

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Make baked beans with molasses. Blackstrap molasses is a great addition to baked beans, adding a deeper flavor and consistency to the dish. You can make baked beans with molasses on the stove top or in a slow cooker. Bake the beans from scratch with the molasses or add molasses to canned beans for extra flavor and sweetness.
- Follow a simple recipe for stove top baked beans using two tablespoons of molasses, Dijon mustard, and two apples for sweetness.^{[10]
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- Prepare baked beans in the slow cooker with ¼ cup molasses.^{[11]
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Prepare smoothies with molasses. If you enjoy smoothies in the morning to help you start your day, try adding molasses for nutrients and natural sweetness. Molasses is a good addition to smoothies if you are vegetarian or vegan, as it is high in iron and easy for your body to absorb.
- Make a gingerbread smoothie with blackstrap molasses and chia seeds.^{[12]
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- Try a pumpkin pie smoothie rich in nutrients from blackstrap molasses and canned pumpkin.
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Make barbeque sauce and salad dressing with molasses. Blackstrap molasses is a great addition to barbeque sauce, creating a smoky sweetness in the sauce. You can prepare the barbeque sauce with molasses and use it to glaze pork, beef, and chicken.^{[13]
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- You can also use blackstrap molasses in salad dressings, such as a molasses vinaigrette for a simple leafy green salad.^{[14]
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Glaze vegetables with molasses. Blackstrap molasses can add a nice sweetness to vegetable dishes. Glaze vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and onions in molasses for your next holiday meal or to add something extra to a vegetable side dish.^{[15]
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- Prepare molasses and ginger carrots.^{[16]
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- You can also steam carrots, potatoes, and onions, and then add a molasses glaze for a healthy, tasty dish.^{[17]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Blackstrap Molasses as a Natural Remedy

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Take molasses for anemia. Blackstrap molasses is high in iron, vitamin B, and other minerals. It is a good natural remedy if you suffer from anemia, where you feel fatigued due to an iron-deficiency. Make sure you use organic, unsulphured blackstrap molasses for this remedy.
- Prepare the molasses by dissolving 1 tablespoon in hot water. Have one dose of molasses a day to help with your anemia.
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Use molasses as a laxative. Blackstrap molasses can be used to help treat constipation. The magnesium content in molasses can encourage your colon to work properly and get your bowels moving. Take one tablespoon of molasses before bed at night. Dilute the molasses in a cup of hot water, milk, prune juice, or fruit juice if the taste is too strong.
- You can try increasing the amount to two tablespoons a night if you are really constipated. However, do not take more than two tablespoons as a time and try to decrease the amount of molasses you take every night over time.
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Take molasses for menstrual cramps. Blackstrap molasses contains nutrients that can help reduce menstrual cramps, particularly vitamin B6, iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Take 1 to 3 teaspoons of blackstrap molasses a day while you are menstruating to reduce your cramps. You can also add a spoonful of molasses to herbal tea and drink it that way to help treat cramping.^{[18]
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- Do not take more than 6 teaspoons of molasses a day. Having too much molasses can lead to loose stools.
- If you have diabetes, do not take blackstrap molasses on a daily basis as it is high in sugar.
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Use molasses for skincare and haircare. Blackstrap molasses can be used to help treat skin conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea. Make a nourishing face wash out of molasses by diluting 1-2 teaspoons of molasses in warm water and then let it cool. Apply it to your skin and leave it on for five minutes before rinsing it off with water.^{[19]
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- Blackstrap molasses can also be used to hydrate your hair. Dilute molasses in warm water and apply it to your hair as a conditioning treatment for 15 minutes. Then, rinse it off with warm water.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Blackstrap Molasses in the Garden

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Add molasses to the soil. Blackstrap molasses is a good supplement for your garden, as it contains micro and macro nutrients and boosts the moisture and growth in the soil. Use organic, unsulphured blackstrap molasses in your garden for the best results. Add the molasses to the soil in small doses, starting with 1 tablespoon of molasses per gallon of water during feedings.
- You can then increase the amount of molasses, especially as flowers or plants start to grow. Flowering plants require more potassium, which the molasses can provide.
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Put molasses in your compost. You can also add blackstrap molasses to your compost to improve the nutrients in the compost. Start by adding a few tablespoons of molasses into the compost. Then use the compost in your garden.
- Adding molasses to your compost is a good idea if the soil in your garden is poor or low in nutrients. Compost with molasses can encourage plant growth when added to the soil.
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Use molasses as an insect repellant. The sugars in molasses can help repel and kill common garden pests and insects. The molasses will help to encourage the growth of microbes, which will enrich the soil, and reduce the presence of pests. Add 1 teaspoon per gallon of water to your garden to help repel insects.
- Make sure you dilute the molasses in warm water so it dissolves before you add it to the watering system for your garden.