Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are a holiday classic, filled with warm spices and rich molasses flavor. These cookies have the perfect balance of sweetness and spice, with a soft, chewy texture that makes them irresistible. Decorate them with royal icing for a festive touch, and enjoy them as a holiday treat, gift, or fun baking project with family and friends.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and Chewy – Unlike crunchy gingerbread, these cookies stay moist and tender.
- Full of Holiday Flavors – A perfect mix of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses.
- Easy to Make – Simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
- Great for Decorating – Have fun decorating with icing and sprinkles.
- Perfect for Gifting – Package them up for a festive homemade gift.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Ground ginger
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground cloves
- Salt
- Butter (softened)
- Brown sugar
- Molasses
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
For Decorating (Optional):
- Royal icing or store-bought icing
- Sprinkles or mini candies
Directions
- Prepare the Dough – In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar – In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients – Mix in molasses, egg, and vanilla until combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients – Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough – Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours) for easier rolling.
- Preheat Oven – Set to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll and Cut – On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use gingerbread man cookie cutters to cut shapes.
- Bake – Place cookies on the baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are set but centers are still soft.
- Cool Completely – Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Decorate – Once cooled, decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, or candies.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: About 20-24 cookies (depending on size)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Bake Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Variations
- Extra Spicy – Add a pinch of nutmeg or black pepper for more warmth.
- Crispy Version – Roll the dough thinner and bake a minute longer for crispier cookies.
- Gluten-Free – Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
- Vegan Option – Replace butter with vegan butter and egg with a flaxseed egg.
- Chocolate Gingerbread – Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder for a rich twist.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Refrigeration: Keep in the fridge for up to a week.
- Freezing Dough: Wrap and freeze dough for up to 3 months. Thaw before rolling and baking.
- Freezing Cookies: Freeze baked cookies in layers with parchment paper for up to 3 months.
FAQs
Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll and cut without sticking.
How do I keep my cookies soft?
Don’t overbake them—remove them when the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft.
Can I use blackstrap molasses?
Blackstrap molasses is more bitter; use regular molasses for the best flavor.
What’s the best icing for decorating?
Royal icing works best because it hardens, making it perfect for intricate designs.
Can I make these cookies without cookie cutters?
Yes! Roll dough into balls and flatten slightly before baking for simple round cookies.
Can I substitute honey for molasses?
Yes, but the flavor will be milder and less traditional.
How can I make these cookies extra chewy?
Use more brown sugar and slightly underbake the cookies.
What’s the best way to decorate these cookies?
Use a piping bag with royal icing and add festive sprinkles or mini candies for details.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Just make sure to chill the dough in batches for easier rolling.
How do I keep the dough from sticking?
Lightly flour your rolling surface and rolling pin, and roll out chilled dough.
Conclusion
Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are a festive, flavorful treat that’s perfect for the holiday season. Whether you decorate them with icing or enjoy them plain, these cookies are a fun and delicious way to celebrate Christmas. Bake a batch to share with loved ones and make them a part of your holiday tradition!
Print
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 18-24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These classic gingerbread men cookies are perfectly spiced, soft, and chewy with just the right amount of sweetness. Decorate them with icing for a fun and festive holiday treat!
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream butter & sugar: In another large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients: Mix in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract.
- Combine: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until dough forms.
- Chill dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for deeper flavor).
- Preheat oven: Set to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll & cut: Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut out gingerbread men using cookie cutters.
- Bake: Place cookies on baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes (shorter for softer cookies, longer for crispier).
- Cool: Let cookies cool completely before decorating.
- Prepare icing: Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag or use a spoon to decorate cookies.
- Decorate & enjoy!
Notes
- For extra chewy cookies, slightly underbake them.
- Dough can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for 3 months.
- Let the icing fully set before stacking cookies for storage.
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