Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
Baking these Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies brings a delightful blend of spices and sweetness, perfect for decorating and enjoying during the holidays.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened Ensure butter is at room temperature
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Royal Icing
- Royal icing for frosting (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
Preparation
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt until evenly combined.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour to help maintain the cookies' shape.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick and cut out your cookie shapes.
- Place the cut-out cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until set and slightly golden around the edges.
- Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before decorating with royal icing.
Notes
For best results, always chill the dough to prevent spreading during baking. Variations include adding nuts or chocolate chips, using honey instead of molasses, or substituting half the butter with applesauce for a lighter version. An air fryer version can be cooked at 300°F (150°C) for 6-8 minutes.