Why Make This Recipe
Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are perfect for the holiday season, family gatherings, or just a cozy evening at home. These delightful cookies have a warm, spicy flavor that fills your kitchen with a wonderful aroma. They are fun to make, especially if you’re baking with kids, and they can be decorated in countless ways. Whether you want to enjoy them fresh out of the oven or create a festive display, these cookies never fail to bring smiles!
How to Make Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling out the dough)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks)
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons warm water
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Sprinkles of your choice
Directions
- For the Cookies:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the softened butter and light brown sugar until fluffy.
- Add the molasses and egg, mixing until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two balls, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out shapes using gingerbread man cookie cutters and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are firm. Let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks.
- For the Royal Icing:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, warm water, meringue powder, and cream of tartar. Beat until the mixture is smooth and forms stiff peaks.
- Decorate the cooled cookies with the royal icing and add sprinkles as desired. Let the icing harden before serving.
How to Serve Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
Serve these cookies on a festive platter, arranged in a charming way. They make a lovely centerpiece for holiday parties or a sweet treat for family movie night. Pair them with milk or hot chocolate for a delightful experience.
How to Store Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze them in a zipper bag for up to three months. Just be sure to separate layers of cookies with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Tips to Make Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
- Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Chilling the dough helps it hold its shape while baking.
- Decorate the cookies after they have completely cooled to prevent the icing from melting.
- Use a variety of cookie cutters for different shapes and fun designs.
Variation
Feel free to add chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the dough for added flavor. You can also experiment with different types of sprinkles or edible glitter for extra cheerfulness.
FAQs
- Can I use a different type of flour?
- Yes, you can use whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour, but the texture might change slightly.
- How can I get my royal icing to set faster?
- Make sure to use fresh meringue powder and beat the icing until stiff peaks form. Let the cookies sit at room temperature after decorating to help the icing harden.
- Can I decorate these cookies ahead of time?
- Absolutely! You can decorate them a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve.
Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
These delightful Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies have a warm, spicy flavor and are perfect for the holiday season, family gatherings, or cozy evenings at home.
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour plus more for rolling out the dough
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks)
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
For the Royal Icing
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons warm water
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- as desired Sprinkles of your choice
Instructions
For the Cookies
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the softened butter and light brown sugar until fluffy.
- Add the molasses and egg, mixing until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two balls, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out shapes using gingerbread man cookie cutters and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are firm. Let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks.
For the Royal Icing
- In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, warm water, meringue powder, and cream of tartar. Beat until the mixture is smooth and forms stiff peaks.
- Decorate the cooled cookies with the royal icing and add sprinkles as desired. Let the icing harden before serving.
Notes
Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing. Chilling the dough helps it hold its shape while baking. Decorate the cookies after they have completely cooled to prevent the icing from melting. Use a variety of cookie cutters for different shapes and fun designs.