Gingerbread Man Cookies are a classic treat that bring the warm spices of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves into little, fun-to-decorate shapes. These cookies are perfectly soft with just a little crunch on the edges, making them both tasty and playful to eat. The sweet molasses flavor gives them a cozy, holiday feel that always cheers me up.
I love making these cookies with family or friends because decorating them is half the fun. I usually pull out some colorful icing and tiny candies to give each gingerbread person their own personality. It’s always a joy to see the silly faces and creative designs everyone comes up with, and it makes the baking feel extra special.
One of my favorite ways to serve Gingerbread Man Cookies is with a warm cup of tea or hot cocoa. Whether it’s around the holidays or just on a chilly afternoon, they’re a simple treat that bring smiles and good memories. Plus, they keep well, so you can enjoy the fun again the next day or share them with neighbors and friends. I always find that having these cookies around makes any day a little brighter.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Flour: All-purpose flour works best for sturdy cookies. For a gluten-free option, try a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend but watch dough texture closely.
Spices: Ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg create the classic warm flavor. If you don’t have all, just focus on ginger and cinnamon. Freshly ground spices will boost flavor!
Molasses: Provides that rich, deep taste and color. If unavailable, you can substitute with dark corn syrup mixed with a little brown sugar, but flavor will be less intense.
Butter: Using unsalted butter gives control over salt; softened butter is essential for smooth mixing. You can swap for margarine, but the taste will differ a bit.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a caramel note. You can use white sugar, but the texture may be lighter and less chewy.
Icing: Powdered sugar mixed with milk or water for easy decoration. For a stronger vanilla flavor, add a drop more extract. Royal icing is an option if you want harder decorations.
How Do You Keep Gingerbread Cookies Soft but Firm?
Getting the right texture is key! Roll the dough 1/4 inch thick so the cookies stay tender inside but have a slight crunch outside.
- Chill the dough before rolling. Cold dough is easier to handle and helps cookies keep their shape during baking.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes. Don’t overbake; cookies should still be soft in the middle when you take them out.
- Cool on the baking sheet 5 minutes first, then transfer to a wire rack. This helps cookies set without getting too hard.
- Store in an airtight container once cooled to keep them fresh and soft longer.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Rolling pin – I like a good rolling pin to spread the dough evenly to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cookie cutters – a gingerbread man shape makes it fun; you can also get creative with different holiday cutters.
- Baking sheets – a sturdy, flat surface to bake the cookies on, preferably lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Mixing bowls – one for mixing the dry ingredients and another for the wet ingredients. I prefer larger bowls for easy mixing.
- Piping bag or plastic sandwich bag – to decorate the cookies with icing for faces and buttons.
- Cooling racks – to let the cookies cool completely and help the icing set.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Add chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts for crunch and extra flavor.
- Mix in some dried cranberries or raisins for a chewy addition.
- Swap the molasses for honey or maple syrup if you prefer a different sweetness.
- Season the icing with a splash of peppermint or almond extract for a fun twist.
Gingerbread Man Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For The Decoration:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or water
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green and red candy buttons or small M&Ms
- Red, green, and white sprinkles
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare the dough, plus 2 hours or overnight chilling time. Baking and cooling will take about 15–20 minutes more. You will also need some time to decorate your cookies once cooled.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Make the Dough:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt until everything is well mixed. In a second bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Add molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter and mix well.
2. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until the dough is fully mixed. Divide the dough into two parts, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight. This helps the dough firm up for easier rolling and cutting.
3. Shape and Bake the Cookies:
When ready, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a floured surface, roll out one portion of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place them on the baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are firm but the centers feel a little soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
4. Prepare and Add the Icing:
To make the icing, mix powdered sugar with milk or water and vanilla extract until smooth and pipeable. Fill a piping bag or a plastic bag with the icing and cut a small tip to decorate your gingerbread men with smiles, outlines, and buttons.
Add candy buttons for eyes and buttons, and sprinkle colorful decorations as you like. Allow the icing to dry completely before storing your cookies in an airtight container.
Enjoy making and sharing your festive gingerbread man cookies!
Can I Use Frozen Dough for Gingerbread Cookies?
Yes! If you freeze the dough, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before rolling it out. This helps keep the dough firm and easy to work with.
How Should I Store Leftover Gingerbread Cookies?
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze them tightly wrapped for up to 3 months and thaw before serving.
Can I Substitute Molasses in This Recipe?
You can substitute molasses with an equal amount of dark corn syrup mixed with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, but the flavor will be milder and less rich than with molasses.
How Do I Prevent My Cookies from Spreading Too Much?
Make sure to chill the dough for at least 2 hours before rolling it out. Also, avoid rolling the dough too thin—about 1/4 inch thickness works best to keep the shape intact while baking.