Description
Homemade gingerbread men cookies blend warm spices with classic holiday cheer. Molasses and ginger create rich, nostalgic flavors that connect bakers directly to cherished seasonal memories.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (120 ml) unsulfured molasses
- ¾ cup (112 g or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Royal icing (store-bought or homemade)
- Assorted sprinkles or candies
Instructions
- Creaming: Whip butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until fluffy and light. Blend egg, molasses, and vanilla extract thoroughly into the mixture.
- Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients. Combine until a smooth, cohesive dough forms.
- Chilling: Divide dough into two compact disks, wrap in plastic film, and refrigerate for one hour to intensify flavors and improve texture.
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out dough on a floured surface to approximately 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cutting and Arranging: Press gingerbread man cookie cutter into rolled dough, transferring shapes to prepared baking sheets with one-inch spacing. Reroll scraps and continue cutting.
- Baking: Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are set and centers remain soft. Watch carefully to maintain optimal chewiness and prevent over-browning.
- Cooling and Decorating: Rest cookies on baking sheet for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Once completely cooled, adorn with royal icing, sprinkles, or candy embellishments.
- Storing: After decorations set, store gingerbread men in an airtight container, ready to delight and serve.
Notes
- Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate dough for at least 60 minutes to prevent spreading and develop rich, complex flavor profiles during baking.
- Master Rolling Technique: Roll dough to precise 1/4-inch thickness for consistent texture and even baking, ensuring soft, chewy cookie perfection.
- Watch Baking Time Carefully: Remove cookies when edges are set but centers remain slightly soft, preventing over-browning and maintaining signature tender texture.
- Customize Decoratively: Experiment with royal icing, edible glitter, or natural food coloring to personalize gingerbread men for different occasions or dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 23
- Calories: 162
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 74 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 22 mg