Classic Gingerbread Men Cookies (Printable Version)
Classic spiced gingerbread men shaped cookies, ideal for holiday treats and decorating with kids.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour (375 g)
02 - 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1 tablespoon ground ginger
05 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
09 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (170 g)
10 - 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar (150 g)
11 - 1 large egg
12 - 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses (120 ml)
13 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
→ Decoration (Optional)
14 - Royal icing, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or candies
# Directions:
01 - Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, beat unsalted butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer.
03 - Incorporate the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, mixing until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring on low speed until a soft dough forms.
05 - Divide dough in half, shape each into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc to 1/4 inch (6 mm) thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut gingerbread men shapes.
08 - Place cutouts on prepared sheets, spacing each cookie at least 1 inch apart.
09 - Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are just set. Remove from oven, let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Once cooled, decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, chocolate chips, or candies as desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The dough is forgiving and easy to handle, even with small hands helping you cut shapes.
- These cookies fill your home with the kind of warm spice scent that makes everyone wander into the kitchen asking whats baking.
02 -
- Chilling the dough is not optional, it prevents the cookies from spreading into blob shapes in the oven.
- Rolling the dough too thin makes brittle cookies, too thick and they wont bake evenly, so aim for that 1/4 inch sweet spot.
03 -
- If your dough gets too soft while rolling, pop it back in the fridge for ten minutes to firm up.
- Bake one sheet at a time on the center rack for the most even baking, rotating halfway through if your oven has hot spots.