Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are a timeless holiday treat that combines warm spices, molasses, and a touch of sweetness in every bite. These adorable cookies are perfect for decorating with icing, sprinkles, or candy, making them a fun and delicious activity for the whole family during the festive season.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decorating (Optional):
- Royal icing or store-bought icing
- Candy eyes, buttons, or sprinkles
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices (ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg), and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
- Divide the dough into two portions, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
Step 2: Roll and Cut the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Use gingerbread man cookie cutters to cut shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between cookies.
- Gather and re-roll the scraps to use all the dough.
Step 3: Bake the Cookies
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers look slightly soft.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 4: Decorate the Cookies
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, decorate them with icing, candy eyes, or sprinkles as desired. Let the decorations set before serving.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serving: These cookies are perfect for holiday dessert platters or as edible gifts. Pair them with hot cocoa or milk for a cozy treat.
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze the baked cookies (undecorated) for up to 3 months. Thaw and decorate when ready to enjoy.
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before rolling if it’s too firm.
2. What if I don’t have molasses?
You can substitute dark corn syrup or maple syrup, but the flavor will be slightly different. Molasses is recommended for the authentic gingerbread taste.
3. How do I ensure the cookies stay soft?
Avoid overbaking the cookies; they should come out of the oven while still slightly soft in the center. The residual heat will finish the baking process.
4. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour. Check that all other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
Print
Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
These soft and chewy gingerbread men cookies are bursting with warm spices and molasses, making them the perfect holiday treat. Decorate them with royal icing, candies, or sprinkles for a festive and delicious dessert!
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread Cookies:
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup (120ml) unsulfured molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
For Decorating (Optional):
- Royal icing (store-bought or homemade)
- Assorted sprinkles or candies
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight).
- Roll and Cut the Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disk to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart.
- Re-roll scraps as needed and repeat with the remaining dough.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies chewy.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate:
- Once the cookies are completely cool, decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, or candies as desired. Let the icing set before serving or storing.
Notes
- For softer cookies, avoid rolling the dough too thin and bake for the minimum time.
- The dough can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator before rolling out.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.