Gingerbread Men Cookies

There’s something truly magical about the smell of gingerbread wafting through the kitchen—it instantly fills your home with cozy, holiday cheer! This Gingerbread Men Cookies recipe is a holiday favorite that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Picture it: sweet, spicy, perfectly chewy cookies decorated with vibrant royal icing, all lined up and ready to be shared with family and friends. This recipe is simple enough to bring kids into the kitchen for a fun baking day, and I promise, the decorating possibilities are endless!

Ready to get started? Let’s dive into this classic gingerbread men recipe that will make your holidays unforgettable!

Why You’ll Love These Jolly Gingerbread Men

Classic Holiday Flavor: These gingerbread men are packed with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg that bring out the traditional holiday flavor.

Perfect Texture: Soft and chewy with just the right amount of crispness on the edges—these cookies are perfect for everyone.

Fun to Decorate: Bring out the holiday spirit by decorating these cookies with royal icing and colorful accents to give each gingerbread man their own personality.

Kid-Friendly: This is a great recipe to enjoy with little ones; they’ll love cutting out shapes and adding creative decorations.

Ingredients for Gingerbread Men Cookies

For the Gingerbread Men

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2/3 cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Royal Icing

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1-2 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
• Food coloring in red, green, and white

Essential Tools for Making Gingerbread Men

• Mixing Bowls: You’ll need both medium and large bowls to mix the ingredients.
• Electric Mixer: Helpful for creaming the butter and sugar to a fluffy consistency.
• Rolling Pin: Essential for rolling out the dough evenly.
• Gingerbread Men Cookie Cutters: To cut the classic gingerbread shape.
• Parchment Paper: Keeps the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet.
• Piping Bags and Tips: For decorating the cookies with royal icing. Alternatively, a ziplock bag with a small corner snipped off works just fine!

Step-by-Step Guide to Make Gingerbread Men Cookies

1. Prepare the Dough

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until creamy.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
4. Combine and Chill: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.

2. Shape and Bake

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use gingerbread men cookie cutters to cut out shapes, re-rolling the scraps as needed.
3. Bake: Place the gingerbread men on prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are set. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Decorate the Cookies

1. Prepare the Icing: In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of milk, adjusting until you reach a piping consistency. Divide the icing into separate bowls and add food coloring as desired.
2. Pipe and Decorate: Use a piping bag (or a ziplock bag with a corner cut off) to pipe details onto each gingerbread man, like eyes, smiles, buttons, and festive details like scarves or hats.
3. Add Extra Sparkle: Sprinkle on colored sugars or edible glitter for a festive touch if you like!

Pro Tips for Making the Best Gingerbread Men

• Chill the Dough: Chilling is essential to prevent the dough from spreading too much during baking, helping your cookies keep their shape.
• Adjust Spices to Taste: If you like a stronger spice flavor, feel free to add a pinch more of cinnamon, ginger, or cloves.
• Get Creative with Decorations: Play around with different colors and designs. You can even make tiny accessories like candy buttons, sprinkle scarves, or chocolate eyes!

Festive Decoration Ideas

• Classic Holiday Colors: Stick with red, green, and white icing for a traditional holiday look.
• Use Sprinkles and Candies: Add small candies, mini chocolate chips, or festive sprinkles to bring each gingerbread man to life.
• Add Edible Glitter: For an extra magical look, sprinkle a bit of edible glitter on your cookies after icing them.

What to Serve with Gingerbread Men Cookies

Serve these gingerbread men with a warm glass of hot chocolate, a cup of coffee, or even mulled wine for adults! These cookies are perfect for gifting, too, so feel free to package a few up with a festive ribbon and share the holiday cheer with friends and neighbors.

Storage Instructions

To keep your gingerbread men fresh and chewy, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay good for up to a week, but you can also freeze the undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. Just thaw and decorate when you’re ready!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the dough up to 2 days in advance and keep it wrapped in plastic in the fridge. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months—just thaw in the fridge overnight before using.

Can I use honey instead of molasses?

Molasses gives gingerbread its classic deep flavor and color, but you can use honey in a pinch. Keep in mind that the cookies will be slightly lighter and less robust in flavor.

How can I keep the cookies soft?

Be careful not to overbake! The cookies should come out with just the edges set. Cooling them on a wire rack will also help them keep a soft center.

What if I don’t have a piping bag?

No worries! You can use a ziplock bag with a small corner snipped off for piping the royal icing, which works just as well.

Bring a Little Extra Holiday Cheer with These Gingerbread Men!

There you have it—perfectly spiced, irresistibly cute gingerbread men that are sure to bring warmth and laughter to your holiday gatherings. Whether you’re baking with family, decorating with friends, or enjoying them all to yourself, these cookies are bound to spread a little holiday magic.

Let me know if you give these jolly gingerbread men a try! And don’t forget to snap a photo and share it with us on Pinterest. Happy Holidays! 🎅✨

Looking for more holiday treats? Try these:

• Christmas Stocking Sugar Cookies: Bright and colorful sugar cookies perfect for gifting.
• Gingerbread Cake: A moist and delicious cake with all the classic gingerbread spices.
• Christmas Cake – A Festive Masterpiece: A show-stopping cake that’s brimming with holiday flavors.

Nutrition Information (Per Cookie)

• Calories: 150 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 23g
• Protein: 1.5g
• Fat: 6g
• Sugar: 12g
• Fiber: 0.5g

Enjoy your baking, and happy holidays!

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