Description
These Classic Gingerbread Men Cookies are perfectly spiced, soft in the center, lightly crisp on the edges, and ideal for decorating. With warm flavors of molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, they’re the ultimate holiday cookie!
Ingredients
Scale
- Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For Decorating
- Royal icing or simple icing
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Divide dough into two disks, wrap each in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out gingerbread men and place onto baking sheets.
- Bake 8–10 minutes, depending on size. Centers should look set but not dry.
- Let cool completely before decorating with icing and sprinkles.
Notes
Chilling the dough is essential—this prevents spreading and helps the cookies keep their classic shape. For chewier cookies, remove them from the oven just as the edges begin to set. Decorate only once fully cooled for the neatest details!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus chilling)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 16mg
Keywords: classic gingerbread cookies, gingerbread men recipe, holiday cookies, Christmas cookies, soft gingerbread men