Why Make This Recipe
Gingerbread man cookies are a delightful treat that brings the warmth and cheer of the holiday season to your home. Their sweet and spicy flavors make them perfect for sharing with family and friends. This recipe not only fills your kitchen with a wonderful aroma but also provides a fun activity for everyone. Decorating gingerbread men can be a joyful experience, especially for kids. With endless creative possibilities for frosting and toppings, every batch can be unique!
How to Make Gingerbread Man Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 1 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
- 1 cup molasses (avoid blackstrap)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 & 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 cup meringue powder (or 3 egg whites, see notes)
- 4 cups powdered sugar (about 1 pound)
- 6 tablespoons warm water (omit if using egg whites)
- Gel food coloring (optional)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 6-7 tablespoons milk (or more as necessary)
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 1 batch buttercream frosting
- Gel food coloring (optional)
Directions:
Make the cookie dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer, add 1 cup of softened butter. Beat for about 1-2 minutes until smooth. Add 1 cup of dark brown sugar and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, add 1 cup of molasses and 1 tablespoon of vanilla, beating until well incorporated.
Add the dry ingredients: Spoon and level 4 cups of flour into the bowl without mixing. Create a well in the flour and add 1 & 1/4 teaspoons of kosher salt, 1 tablespoon of ginger, 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, 3/4 teaspoon of cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon of allspice. Stir the spices into the flour slightly, breaking up any clumps.
Mix: Mix the dry ingredients into the dough on the lowest speed until combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as it could make your cookies tough.
Chill the dough: Divide the dough into three portions, wrap in plastic, and chill in the fridge for about 2 hours, or freeze for about 30 minutes.
Prepare baking sheets: While the dough chills, line three half baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Roll out the dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly flour your work surface and roll each disc of dough to about 3/8 inch thickness. Cut out gingerbread men shapes using your cookie cutter.
Chill again: For added shape retention, chill the cut cookies in the freezer for 5 minutes before baking.
Bake: Place cookies on the baking sheet with space in between each. Bake for 6-12 minutes depending on size. Watch for the centers to lose their shine.
Cool down: Let cookies cool on the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Frosting choices: Decide between Royal Icing, Glaze Icing, or Buttercream Frosting to decorate your cookies.
How to Serve Gingerbread Man Cookies
These cookies can be served as they are or adorned with colorful frosting for a festive look. Arrange them on a plate and enjoy with a cup of hot chocolate or eggnog. They also make great gifts when packaged in decorative boxes or bags.
How to Store Gingerbread Man Cookies
Store your gingerbread man cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and tasty for about a week. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze them; just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Tips to Make Gingerbread Man Cookies
- Ensure your butter is softened properly for easy mixing.
- Use fresh spices for the best flavor.
- Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent cookies from spreading while baking.
- Don’t skip the final chilling step before baking if you want your cookies to hold their shape.
Variation
You can shape these cookies into other figures like stars, trees, or even animals. Try using different spice blends to create unique flavors.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of sweetener instead of molasses?
You can try using honey or maple syrup, but it will change the flavor and texture slightly.
Is it necessary to chill the dough?
Yes, chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape during baking and improves the flavor.
How can I make my frosting colorful?
Add gel food coloring to your frosting until you reach your desired color. This can give your decorations a festive look!
Gingerbread Man Cookies
Equipment
- medium bowl
- large bowl
- electric mixer
- plastic wrap
- rolling pin
- gingerbread man cookie cutter
- baking sheets
- parchment paper
- wire rack
- piping bag (optional)
Ingredients
Cookies
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 0.75 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Royal Icing (for decoration)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or water as needed for consistency
Instructions
Preparation
- Whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
- Cream softened butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, then stir in molasses and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined and a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 2 hours.
Baking
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out gingerbread men shapes using a cookie cutter and carefully transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the edges are firm and lightly browned; let cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorating
- While cookies cool, prepare the royal icing by whisking powdered sugar with milk or water until smooth and desired consistency is reached.
- Once cookies are completely cool, decorate them with the royal icing as desired, using a piping bag or small spoon.