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Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 131 reviews

Classic Gingerbread Man Cookies are a festive holiday treat featuring warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. These soft and chewy cookies are flavored with molasses and brown sugar, then decorated with a simple vanilla icing, perfect for decorating and sharing during the holidays.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Gingerbread Man Cookies:

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon cloves
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ cup (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • ⅔ cup molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Icing:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons milk, or water
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and baking soda until fully combined. This dry mixture forms the base spice blend for your gingerbread cookies.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and packed dark brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This step helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
  3. Add Molasses and Egg: Mix in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar, beating until the mixture is smooth and well combined. These wet ingredients add moisture and rich flavor to the dough.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
  5. Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm. Chilling helps make the dough easier to roll and enhances the flavor.
  6. Preheat and Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
  7. Roll Out and Cut Cookies: Lightly flour your rolling surface and rolling pin. Roll the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use gingerbread man cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer them carefully onto the prepared baking sheets.
  8. Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. Avoid overbaking to maintain a chewy texture.
  9. Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.
  10. Prepare the Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk (or water), and vanilla extract until smooth and pipeable. Adjust the consistency by adding more liquid or powdered sugar as needed.
  11. Decorate: Use a piping bag or a small spoon to decorate the cooled cookies with the prepared vanilla icing. Allow the icing to set before serving or storing.

Notes

  • For firmer cookies, roll dough out a little thicker or bake a minute longer.
  • Chilling the dough is important to prevent spreading during baking.
  • Ensure butter is softened, not melted, for best creaming results.
  • Decorate cookies once fully cooled to prevent icing from melting.
  • Store iced cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
  • Molasses provides the classic rich flavor; avoid substitutes for authenticity.

Keywords: gingerbread, gingerbread cookies, holiday cookies, Christmas cookies, gingerbread men, spiced cookies, molasses cookies

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/gingerbread-man-cookies-recipe/