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Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 132 reviews

Classic gingerbread men cookies that are soft, flavorful, and perfect for festive occasions. This recipe combines warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg with molasses and brown sugar for a rich taste. Finished with a sweet vanilla icing, these cookies are ideal for holiday gatherings or as a fun baking project with family.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Gingerbread Men

  • 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 teaspoons 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
  • 1/2 teaspoon clear vanilla or almond extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Beat the butter and sugar: Beat the butter and light brown sugar on medium-high speed until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is creamy and smooth.
  2. Dissolve baking soda: In a small glass dish, dissolve the baking soda thoroughly in the milk to activate it before mixing with other wet ingredients.
  3. Combine wet ingredients: Add the molasses, milk and baking soda mixture, vanilla extract, and egg to the creamed butter and sugar. Beat until all ingredients are well incorporated and smooth.
  4. Mix dry ingredients and form dough: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture while beating, until the dough forms and is completely combined.
  5. Chill the dough: Divide the dough into two softball-sized balls, flatten each into discs, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to firm up for easier rolling and shaping.
  6. Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a large cookie sheet with a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
  7. Roll out dough: Remove dough from refrigerator and allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Roll the dough out on a generously floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
  8. Cut and place cookies: Use gingerbread men cookie cutters to cut shapes from the rolled dough. Transfer carefully to the prepared baking sheet and brush off any excess flour with a pastry brush.
  9. Bake: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, removing when edges start to crisp but centers are still soft and baked through. Approximately 9 minutes is ideal for most ovens.
  10. Cool cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. Prepare icing: In a bowl, combine sifted powdered sugar, corn syrup, and 2 tablespoons milk. Whisk until well combined and thickened.
  12. Adjust icing consistency: Add additional milk 1 teaspoon at a time to thin icing to desired consistency. For decorating, icing should take 3-4 seconds to flatten on its own surface after drizzling. If too thin, add up to 1/4 cup more powdered sugar.
  13. Decorate cookies: Pipe icing onto fully cooled cookies using a small piping tip or a plastic bag with a corner cut off. Allow the first layer of icing to set for several hours before adding additional details.
  14. Set and serve: Once icing hardens completely, cookies are ready to serve or be stored.

Notes

  • This recipe yields 24-28 gingerbread men cookies depending on the size of cookie cutters used (3 1/4 inches tall cutters used here).
  • To store: Keep cooled and iced cookies in an airtight container at room temperature with parchment or wax paper between layers for 2-3 days.
  • To freeze: Bake and cool cookies without icing, then freeze in an airtight container layered with wax paper for up to 3 months. Thaw fully before icing.
  • Ensure dough is well chilled to prevent cookie spreading and maintain shape during baking.
  • Pipe icing carefully and allow sufficient drying time for best decoration results.

Keywords: gingerbread men, holiday cookies, Christmas cookies, gingerbread recipe, festive cookies, homemade cookies

Find it online: https://cheframi.com/gingerbread-men-cookies-recipe/