Gingerbread Men

These soft Gingerbread Men are made from scratch with molasses and warm spices, hold their shape beautifully, and are perfect for decorating with royal icing.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Gingerbread Men

Prep Time 1

Cook Time 10

Chill Time 3

Servings cookies

Calories 166kcal

Author Jason Decker

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
10 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar packed
2/3 cup unsulphured or dark molasses
1 large egg room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
icing of your choice

Instructions

Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves in a large bowl.
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon ground ginger, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
In a separate large bowl, using a handheld or stand mixer, beat the butter for one minute until smooth.
10 tablespoons unsalted butter
Add the brown sugar and molasses and continue to beat until creamy.
3/4 cup light brown sugar, 2/3 cup unsulphured or dark molasses
Then, add in the egg and vanilla and mix for two minutes.
1 large egg, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and beat on low speed until well combined.
Separate the dough into two parts and form both into a disk shape.
Place the dough in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Chill for at least 3 hours and up to 3 days. This step is necessary.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and line 1-2 baking trays with parchment paper.
Remove the chilled dough and generously flour your clean work surface.
Begin rolling out the dough. It is likely to crack. Work slowly, and as you notice a crack while rolling, mend the crack using your fingers. The dough will become smoother as you continue to roll.
Repeat the process with both disks of dough. Cut into shapes using your gingerbread man cookie cutter and place on the prepared sheet trays 1-2 inches apart.
Reroll the scraps and cut them into shapes until all the dough is gone.
Place the cookies into the oven and bake for approximately 10 minutes. If your cookies are smaller than 4 inches, start with 8 minutes. If they are larger than 4 inches, bake for approximately 11 minutes.
Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to the cooling rack.
The cookies are ready to decorate as desired once fully cooled.
icing of your choice

Notes

Makes 24 4-inch cookies.

Nutrition is calculated without icing.

Chill the Dough: Don’t skip chilling; it makes rolling easier and prevents spreading.
Use a Lightly Floured Surface: Prevents sticking when rolling out the dough.
Roll Evenly: Aim for 1/4-inch thickness for consistent baking.
Re-roll Dough Scraps: Gather and roll out dough scraps to make more cookies.
Watch Baking Time: Bake at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes. Adjust time for cookie size.
Cool Completely Before Decorating: Place cookies on a wire rack to cool before icing.

Nutrition