Gingerbread Men Cookies

Table of Contents

1. Gingerbread Men Cookies Ingredients
2. Substitutions And Additions
3. How To Make This Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe
4. How To Serve
5. Storage
6. Why We Love This Recipe
7. Frequently Asked Questions
8. More Recipes You’ll Love
9. JUMP TO RECIPE

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

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.

STEP ELEVEN: Place the cut cookie shapes two inches apart on the cookie sheet.

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.

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.

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