Introduction:
These Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are perfect for the holiday season or any time you crave a cozy, spiced treat. With a soft and tender texture and just the right amount of spice, these cookies are sure to become a favorite. Decorate them with icing and sprinkles for a festive touch or enjoy them plain for a deliciously simple treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Soft and Chewy: These cookies have a delightful soft and chewy texture.
- Perfectly Spiced: A warm blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Fun to Decorate: Get creative with icing and sprinkles for a festive look.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
Ingredients:
- 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
I. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
II. Cream the Butter and Sugars:
- In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer or beat by hand.
III. Add the Wet Ingredients:
- Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until well combined.
IV. Combine the Mixtures:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
V. Chill the Dough:
- Divide the dough into two portions, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm. Chilling helps prevent spreading and makes the dough easier to roll out.
VI. Roll and Cut the Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out gingerbread men shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
VII. Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to brown. The centers should be soft.
VIII. Cool and Decorate:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, decorate with icing and sprinkles if desired.
Tips for Success:
- Chilling the Dough: Don’t skip chilling the dough as it makes it easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too much.
- Rolling Out the Dough: If the dough is too sticky, lightly flour your rolling surface and rolling pin. You can also chill the dough again if needed.
- Decorating: Use royal icing or simple powdered sugar icing to decorate your cookies. Add sprinkles or edible decorations for extra festivity.
Recipe Variations:
- Icing Flavors: Experiment with flavored icings like lemon or almond for a different twist.
- Add-Ins: Mix in small amounts of chocolate chips or chopped nuts for extra texture.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve these cookies with a glass of milk or a cup of hot cocoa for a classic treat.
- Pack them in holiday gift tins or boxes for a homemade gift option.
Freezing and Storage:
- Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: Freeze undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw before decorating.
- Reheating: Reheat in a low oven (300°F or 150°C) for a few minutes if desired.
Special Equipment:
- Cookie Cutters: For shaping the gingerbread men.
- Parchment Paper: For lining baking sheets.
- Rolling Pin: For rolling out the dough.
FAQ:
- Can I use dark molasses instead of light molasses?
Yes, dark molasses will give the cookies a richer, deeper flavor. - Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. - Can I use a stand mixer for this recipe?
Absolutely! A stand mixer with a paddle attachment works well for creaming the butter and sugars and mixing the dough.
Preparation Time:
- 15 minutes for preparing the dough and chilling time (not including chilling time).
Cook Time:
- 8-10 minutes per batch for baking the cookies.
Total Time:
- 1½-2 hours (including prep, chilling, and baking time).
Nutrition Information (per cookie, assuming 24 cookies):
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 13g
Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours
Ingredients
Scale
- 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
I. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
II. Cream the Butter and Sugars:
- In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer or beat by hand.
III. Add the Wet Ingredients:
- Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until well combined.
IV. Combine the Mixtures:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
V. Chill the Dough:
- Divide the dough into two portions, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm. Chilling helps prevent spreading and makes the dough easier to roll out.
VI. Roll and Cut the Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out gingerbread men shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
VII. Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to brown. The centers should be soft.
VIII. Cool and Decorate:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, decorate with icing and sprinkles if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 miutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24 cookies
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Protein: 1g
Closing Notes:
Have you tried these Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies? Share your experience in the comments below! Don’t forget to tag us on social media with your cookie creations and check back for more delicious recipes.
