Perfect Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies
These perfect chewy gingerbread man cookies are made with a delightful blend of spices and molasses, resulting in a soft, flavorful treat. Chilling the dough is key for achieving the best texture and preventing spreading.
Equipment
- large bowl
- electric mixer
- spatula
- medium bowl
- whisk
- plastic wrap
- oven
- baking sheets
- parchment paper or silicone mats
- rolling pin
- gingerbread man cookie cutters
- wire rack
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsulfured dark molasses
- large egg at room temperature
Dry Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional for decorating
- Royal icing
- sprinkles
- candies
Instructions
Cream Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the molasses and egg until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt.
Combine Wet and Dry
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
Chill the Dough
- Divide the dough into two portions, flatten into discs, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Roll and Cut
- On a floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut out gingerbread men shapes. Transfer to baking sheets, leaving 1 inch between cookies, and reroll scraps as needed.
Bake
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are set and lightly golden.
Cool
- Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorate (Optional)
- Once cooled, decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, and candies.
Notes
Chilling the dough is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading and for developing a rich flavor. Do not overmix the dough to ensure a tender, chewy cookie. The cookies will firm up as they cool, so slightly soft centers are desirable when removing them from the oven.