October 24, 2023
Review RecipeGingerbread Men Cookies
Spiced gingerbread men cookies have the classic gingerbread add even more festive magic to the holiday season.
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Every holiday season, I always start celebrating by making spiced gingerbread men cookies because you can’t have a holiday party without these festive treats. They are easy to make, and it’s so much fun to decorate them with icing once they are warm out of the oven.
Gingerbread Men Cookies Ingredients
These gingerbread men cookies are a holiday delight, combining rich, spicy flavors with a soft texture.
Ground ginger, pumpkin pie spice, molasses, and brown sugar create a sweet and slightly tangy taste profile, while butter adds a rich, comforting quality.
Decorated with tinted sugar cookie icing, they’re fun to look at and perfect for festive indulgence.
You’ll need:
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 2 teaspoons of ground ginger
- 1½ teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice
- 1 cup of salted sweet cream butter, softened
- ¾ cup of light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons of unsulphured molasses
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1½ teaspoons of vanilla extract
- tinted sugar cookie icing (try our sugar cookie icing recipe) for decorating. We used red and white to decorate ours
PRO TIP:
Unsulphured molasses is made from ripe sugar cane and has no additives. It is generally the kind you will find at the grocery store and is different from blackstrap molasses.
Substitutions And Additions
PUMPKIN PIE SPICE: You can use apple pie spice instead of pumpkin pie spice in this great recipe.
SUGAR COOKIE ICING: Get creative with your cookie decorations!
Instead of using tinted sugar cookie icing, you can use royal icing, melted chocolate, or even colorful sprinkles to add a personal touch to your gingerbread men.
VANILLA EXTRACT: Try experimenting with different extracts to add unique flavors.
Almond extract can give your cookies a lovely nutty undertone, while orange or lemon extract can add a citrusy twist to the classic gingerbread flavor.
How To Make This Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe
Let’s dive into making the easy dough for this recipe. Then, the fun begins when you cut out your cookie shapes, bake them, and decorate your treats.
STEP ONE: Using a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, and pumpkin pie spice. Set dry ingredients aside.
STEP TWO: Using a stand mixer, or a medium-sized mixing bowl and a handheld mixer, on medium-high speed, beat the softened butter for 30 seconds.
STEP THREE: Add the light brown sugar, molasses, egg, and vanilla and beat just until the ingredients are incorporated.
STEP FOUR: Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and beat on low until the flour is well combined.
STEP FIVE: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
STEP SIX: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
STEP SEVEN: Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator. Divide the dough in half to make handling the dough manageable.
STEP EIGHT: Dust your work surface and your rolling pin with flour.
STEP NINE: Roll the gingerbread cookie dough to ⅛ to ¼ inch thickness on the floured surface.
STEP TEN: Press down with the cookie cutter and gently wiggle the cutter to help ensure a clean cut.
PRO TIP:
Any cookie cutter shape can be used, as well as any candies to decorate after the cookies have been baked. The classic is a gingerbread man cookie cutter but different shapes will work too!
STEP ELEVEN: Place the cut cookie shapes two inches apart on the cookie sheet.
PRO TIP:
If you are freezing the unbaked cookies, if you have the extra baking sheets, this can make baking much easier.
STEP TWELVE: Bake cookies for eight minutes.
STEP THIRTEEN: Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring the cookies to a wire rack.
Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating.
How To Serve
Your gingerbread people will be a delightful addition to your holiday cookie tray.
Make sure to tap into your creativity when you are decorating them to give them each their own personalities.
Check out our Minion sugar cookies and gingerbread snowmen for more inspiration.
If you like this gingerbread cookie recipe, we’ve got plenty of different recipes for gingerbread.
For softer cookies, try our soft gingerbread cookies, and you should also try our gingerbread fudge for a creamy treat.
MORE GINGERBREAD RECIPES
Storage
Whether you want to make these cookies ahead of time, save some for later, or simply ensure their freshness, we’ve got you covered.
MAKE AHEAD: If you’re planning ahead, you can prepare the gingerbread cookie dough and chill it in the fridge for up to two days.
Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. When you’re ready to bake, simply roll out the dough and cut your gingerbread men.
ON THE COUNTER: Store any leftover gingerbread man cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days.
IN THE FRIDGE: You can also store cookies in the refrigerator for up to seven days.
IN THE FREEZER: You can store the unbaked cut cookie shapes in a single layer covered in the freezer for two months.
Allow the unbaked cut cookie shapes to thaw before baking.
Why We Love This Recipe
CLASSIC HOLIDAY FLAVOR: This recipe captures the quintessential holiday flavor with its perfect blend of ginger, molasses, and spices, making it a seasonal favorite.
GREAT FOR BAKING AHEAD: The dough can be prepared ahead of time, making it a convenient option for busy holiday preparations. Simply chill the dough and bake fresh cookies whenever you’re ready.
PERFECT FOR DECORATING: Whether you’re baking with kids or getting creative on your own, the gingerbread men cookies are a perfect canvas for decorating.
Get your whole family in on the fun activity of decorating these darling gingerbread men cookies. These perfect cookies are a fantastic addition to your holiday cookie jar, ideal for sharing and gobbling up in front of a cozy fireplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Would this recipe also work to make gingerbread houses?
This gingerbread cookies recipe would work fine to make gingerbread houses as well.
Do I have to chill the dough?
For best results, you need to chill the dough so that it is easier to roll and cut using the cookie cutters.
Can I use store-bought icing?
Any cookie decorating icing, whether homemade or store-bought, is perfect to make your gingerbread men fancy.
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Gingerbread Men Cookies
Spiced gingerbread men cookies have the classic gingerbread add even more festive magic to the holiday season.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 48 minutes
Servings 32 cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 cup salted sweet cream butter, softened
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup unsulphured molasses
- 2 tablespoons unsulphured molasses
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- tinted sugar cookie icing, see the sugar cookie icing recipe on our website for decorating
Instructions
- Using a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, and pumpkin pie spice. Set it aside.
- Using a stand mixer, or a medium-sized mixing bowl and a handheld mixer, on medium-high speed, beat the softened butter for 30 seconds.
- Add the light brown sugar, molasses, egg and vanilla and beat just until the ingredients are incorporated.
- Add in the flour mixture, and beat on low until the flour is well combined.
- Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator. Divide the dough in half to make handling the dough manageable.
- Dust your work surface and your rolling pin with flour.
- Roll the cookie dough to ⅛ to ¼ inch thickness.
- Press down with the cookie cutter, and gently wiggle the cutter to help ensure a clean cut.
- Place the cut cookie shapes 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet 5 minutes before transferring the cookies to a cooling rack. Allow the cookies to completely cool before decorating.
Notes
- Any cookie cutter shape can be used, as well as any candies to decorate after the cookies have been baked. The classic is a gingerbread man cookie cutter, but different shapes will work too!
- If you are freezing the unbaked cookies, if you have the extra baking sheets, this can make baking much easier.
Nutrition
Calories: 136kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 121mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 186IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg
Have You Tried This Recipe?Follow me on Pinterest @spaceshipslb
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Comments
Gloria says
These are so cute and yummy – definitely a classic!
kelly says
thank you
Charlene says
In the instructions you don’t mention the baking sofa. Do you add baking soda?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Charlene – you add it with the other dry ingredients. Enjoy!
Barb murphy says
This is by far the BEST gingerbread recipe I have ever used. Had three of my granddaughters over today and was looking for an easy and quick recipe.
This was it! So delicious!!
This is a keeper for sure..