Classic Gingerbread Men Cookies (Printable version)
Classic spiced gingerbread men featuring molasses and warm spices, ideal for festive decorating and sharing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1 tablespoon ground ginger
05 - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
11 - 1 large egg
12 - 2/3 cup unsulphured molasses
13 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ For Decorating
14 - Royal icing (store-bought or homemade)
15 - Assorted candies (mini M&Ms, sprinkles, colored sugars)
# How to Prepare:
01 - Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl then set aside.
02 - Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Beat in the egg, followed by molasses and vanilla extract until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a cohesive dough forms.
05 - Divide dough into two halves, shape each into flat disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll one dough disk to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out gingerbread men; place on baking sheets spaced 1 inch apart.
08 - Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes before transferring to wire racks.
09 - Once completely cooled, decorate cookies with royal icing and assorted candies. Allow icing to set before serving or storing.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- These cookies have that perfect balance of spices that feel like a cozy secret between friends
- The decorating step turns every baking session into a fun and creative holiday celebration
02 -
- Chilling the dough is crucial; it makes rolling easier and helps maintain the shapes while baking
- Using fresh spices instead of pre-ground blends completely transforms the flavor profile
03 -
- For cleaner cookie edges, chill the dough longer before rolling and use sharp cookie cutters
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating to avoid melting the royal icing