Irresistibly Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies

These delightful gingerbread man cookies are spiced to perfection and can be decorated for festive occasions, making them a wonderful treat to share with family and friends.

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 10

Total Time 40

Servings: 24 cookies

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Calories: 120

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour Forms the base for the dough, providing structure.
1 tbsp ground ginger Intensifies the flavor with that signature warm spiciness.
1 tbsp ground cinnamon Adds a comforting layer of sweetness and warmth.
0.5 tsp ground cloves Introduces a festive punch of flavor; use nutmeg as a substitute if needed.
0.5 tsp baking soda Helps the cookies rise for that perfect chewy texture.
0.25 tsp salt Enhances all the flavors in the cookies.

Wet Ingredients

0.5 cups unsalted butter Creates a rich, tender dough when softened.
0.5 cups brown sugar Imparts a deep sweetness and chewy texture.
0.5 cups molasses Gives the cookies their distinctive flavor and color.
1 large egg Binds the ingredients together for a sturdy cookie.
1 tsp vanilla extract Adds another layer of sweetness to enhance flavors.

Decoration

royal icing For decoration, optional but adds a festive touch.

Method

Preparation

In a large bowl, combine the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, baking soda, and salt until well mixed.
In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar using a mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
Pour in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Blend everything together until smooth and fully combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mix, stirring gently until a soft dough forms, being careful not to overmix.
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Baking

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thick.
Use gingerbread man cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the rolled dough and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft and chewy.
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating with royal icing, if desired.

Notes

Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them after cooling in plastic wrap and a freezer-safe bag. Make sure your butter is softened but not melted for the best texture. Chill the dough for a perfect chewy consistency and do not overbake.