Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies

why make this recipe

Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are perfect for the holiday season or any festive occasion. They are fun to make and decorate, which brings joy to both kids and adults. The combination of warm spices like ginger and cinnamon makes your kitchen smell amazing while baking. Plus, these cookies are not just tasty; they offer a delightful softness that takes every bite to the next level.

how to make Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling out the dough)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks)
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 4 tablespoons warm water
• 2 tablespoons meringue powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• Sprinkles of your choice

Directions

For the cookies:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
2. In another bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until creamy.
3. Add the molasses and egg to the butter mixture and mix well.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until the dough comes together.
5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut out shapes using a gingerbread man cookie cutter.
7. Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are firm.
8. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.

For the royal icing:

1. In a bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, warm water, meringue powder, and cream of tartar.
2. Use an electric mixer to beat the mixture until it forms stiff peaks.
3. If desired, divide the icing into separate bowls and add food coloring.

how to serve Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies

These cookies look great on a festive plate. Consider decorating them with royal icing and sprinkles to make them extra special. They can be served at holiday parties, given as gifts, or enjoyed with a cup of hot cocoa.

how to store Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want them to stay soft, place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies. For longer storage, you can freeze them. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap.

tips to make Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies

• Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing.
• Chill the dough to make it easier to roll out.
• Don’t overbake the cookies; they should be soft when you take them out of the oven.
• Decorate the cookies after they have cooled completely.

variation

Feel free to add chocolate chips or nuts to the dough for a different flavor. You can also use different cookie cutters to create fun shapes like stars or snowflakes.

FAQs

1. Can I use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar?
Yes, dark brown sugar can be used. It will give the cookies a richer flavor.

2. How can I make the cookies spicier?
You can increase the amount of ground ginger or add more spices like cardamom for an extra kick.

3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for up to three months. Just thaw in the fridge before rolling out.

Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies

These classic gingerbread men cookies are perfectly spiced with ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, offering a wonderfully soft and chewy texture that's ideal for holiday baking and decorating.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 24 cookies

Calories: 180

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 tsp Baking soda
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 2 tsp Ground ginger
• 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 0.5 tsp Ground cloves
• 0.5 tsp Ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

• 0.75 cup Unsalted butter softened
• 0.75 cup Light brown sugar packed
• 0.5 cup Molasses
• 1 Large egg
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract

For Decoration

• Royal icing as needed

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rolling pin
• Gingerbread men cookie cutters
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Wire cooling rack

Method

 

Preparation

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and packed light brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the molasses, large egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined.

Mixing and Chilling

1. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a stiff dough forms and is just combined.
2. Divide the dough in half, flatten each portion into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight.

Baking

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of chilled dough to approximately 1/4-inch thickness.
2. Using gingerbread men cookie cutters, cut out shapes and carefully transfer them to the prepared baking sheets. Gather and re-roll any dough scraps to cut additional cookies.
3. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookie edges are firm but the centers remain slightly soft. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Decorating (Optional)

1. Once the gingerbread men cookies are completely cooled, you can decorate them with royal icing or other desired festive decorations.

Notes

For best results, ensure your butter is truly softened before creaming. Chilling the dough thoroughly is crucial for easy rolling and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.