Gingerbread Men Cookies
Gingerbread men cookies bring that cozy warmth, perfect for a festive afternoon or a holiday baking session with friends and family.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Rolling Pin
- Cookie Cutters (Gingerbread Men Shapes)
- Baking sheets
- Cooling Rack
- Spatula
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decorating (Optional):
- Royal icing or store-bought icing tubes
- Mini chocolate chips candies, or sprinkles
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. This is your spice mix—make sure it’s evenly combined.
- Pro Tip: Sifting the flour and spices together helps prevent lumps and ensures a smoother dough.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until the dough comes together.
- Once combined, knead lightly by hand to ensure everything is fully incorporated.
- Pro Tip: Don’t overmix—overworking the dough can make the cookies tough instead of soft.
Chill the Dough
- Form the dough into a flat disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Pro Tip: Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll and cut perfect gingerbread men shapes.
Roll and Cut the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll the dough out to about ¼ inch thick.
- Use gingerbread men cookie cutters to cut shapes and place them on a lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
- Pro Tip: Keep the dough scraps in the fridge to re-roll—they’ll stay soft and easier to handle.
Bake the Cookies
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes for soft cookies, or 10–12 minutes for slightly firmer edges.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
- Pro Tip: Letting them cool slightly on the baking sheet helps them hold their shape and prevents breaking.
Decorate (Optional)
- Once cooled, use royal icing, candies, or chocolate chips to decorate your gingerbread men cookies.
- Get creative with faces, buttons, and patterns—fun for kids or holiday entertaining.
Notes
Nutritional Value (Per Cookie – Approximate)
- Calories: 140
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 90mg
- Sugar: 12g
- Fiber: 0.5g