Introduction

These classic gingerbread men cookies are a festive treat perfect for the holiday season. Soft in the center with crisp edges, they’re flavored with warming spices and decorated with sweet icing. Baking these charming cookies is a fun and rewarding activity for home cooks of all levels.

The image shows a pile of gingerbread cookies on a white marbled surface, each decorated with white icing and small pink and red candy dots. The cookies include various shapes such as Christmas trees with white icing swirled like garlands and dotted with tiny pink candy stars, snowflakes decorated with intricate white icing patterns resembling delicate branches, and smiling gingerbread people with simple white icing faces, scarves, and two small red buttons. The gingerbread has a warm brown color with a slightly rough texture, and the white icing highlights the details on each cookie vividly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup (110g) light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup (118ml) molasses
1 large egg
2 tablespoons (30ml) milk
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups (385g) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons (5g) ground ginger
1 teaspoon (2.5g) ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

For the gingerbread cookie icing:

1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons milk
1 tablespoon corn syrup
½ teaspoon clear vanilla or almond extract (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Beat the butter and light brown sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is creamy and the sugar has dissolved.
Step 2: In a small dish, dissolve the baking soda in the milk.
Step 3: Add the molasses, the milk and baking soda mixture, vanilla extract, and egg to the butter and sugar. Beat until well combined.
Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Slowly add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
Step 5: Divide the dough into two softball-sized balls. Flatten each into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Step 6: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
Step 7: Let the dough sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before rolling it out on a well-floured surface to about 1/4-inch thick.
Step 8: Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut the shapes. Transfer cookies to the prepared baking sheet and brush off any excess flour.
Step 9: Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges begin to crisp but the centers remain soft. About 9 minutes is ideal.
Step 10: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.
Step 11: To make the icing, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, corn syrup, and 2 tablespoons of milk until thickened.
Step 12: Add additional milk one teaspoon at a time to reach a consistency that takes 3-4 seconds to flatten after being drizzled.
Step 13: Pipe the icing onto cooled cookies using a small tip or a plastic bag with a corner snipped off. Let the first layer dry for several hours before adding more detail.
Step 14: Once the icing is fully hardened, your gingerbread men are ready to serve or store.

Tips & Variations

For sturdier cookies perfect for decorating, chill the dough for more than 2 hours or overnight.
Use clear vanilla or almond extract in the icing for subtle flavor and vibrant white decoration.
If your icing is too thin, add more powdered sugar; if too thick, add a bit more milk one teaspoon at a time.
Experiment with different cookie shapes or add mini chocolate chips as button details before baking.

Storage

Once the icing has set, store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Place parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Enjoy within 2-3 days for the best taste and texture. Unfrosted cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container, separated by wax paper; thaw on a wire rack before icing.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of many gingerbread cookies on a white marbled surface, shaped like Christmas trees, snowflakes, and gingerbread people. Each cookie is brown with smooth textures and decorated with white icing: some snowflakes have detailed branch patterns, the Christmas trees are wrapped in white icing lines with small pink and white round and star-shaped sprinkles, and the gingerbread people have simple smiling faces and white scarves with two small red round sprinkles. The cookies are placed overlapping, showing a cozy and festive arrangement. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be made and chilled for at least 2 hours or up to overnight. This resting period improves texture and flavor.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

Bake until the edges start to crisp but the centers remain soft—about 8-10 minutes depending on your oven. The cookies will firm up as they cool.