Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies

Get ready to embrace the holiday spirit with these soft and chewy gingerbread man cookies! Packed with warm spices and a touch of molasses, these classic cookies are perfect for Christmas celebrations, gifting, or a cozy baking session with loved ones. They’re easy to make and ideal for decorating, making them a festive treat everyone will love.

What Are Gingerbread Man Cookies?

Gingerbread man cookies are a classic holiday treat made with a spiced dough containing molasses for rich flavor and color. Rolled out and cut into the iconic gingerbread man shape, these cookies are as fun to decorate as they are delicious to eat. This recipe ensures the cookies remain soft and chewy, with just the right amount of spice.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft and chewy texture with a slightly crisp edge.
• Perfect for decorating, whether you prefer icing, sprinkles, or candies.
• Easy to prepare and great for baking with kids.
• Festive flavor from ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150g) brown sugar
• ½ cup (120ml) molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instruction

Preparing the Dough

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground spices, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined.
4. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until a cohesive dough forms.

Chilling the Dough

5. Divide the dough into two portions and wrap each in plastic wrap.
6. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until firm.

Shaping and Baking

7. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
8. Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch (6mm) thickness.
9. Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Place the shapes on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie.
10. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
11. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Decorating the Cookies

12. Once cooled, decorate with icing, candies, or sprinkles as desired.

Serving Suggestion

• Pair these cookies with a glass of warm milk or hot chocolate.
• Use them as edible ornaments by poking a hole at the top before baking and tying with a ribbon after decorating.
• Create a festive cookie platter with other holiday treats like sugar cookies or shortbread.

Storing and Freezing

Storage Tips

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
• To keep them soft, place a small slice of bread in the container with the cookies.

Freezing Instructions

• Unbaked dough: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling out.
• Baked cookies: Freeze undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Decorate after thawing.

Recipe Variations

• Gluten-Free: Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Vegan: Use plant-based butter, flaxseed egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2.5 tbsp water), and molasses.
• Extra Spicy: Add a pinch of black pepper for a bolder flavor.
• Citrusy Twist: Grate a little orange zest into the dough for a hint of citrus.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.

Why is my dough sticky?
This is normal for molasses-based doughs. If it’s too sticky to handle, chill it longer or add a tablespoon of flour at a time while rolling.

How do I keep my cookies from spreading?
Ensure the dough is chilled before rolling, and avoid placing the cookies on warm baking sheets.

These soft and chewy gingerbread man cookies are the perfect addition to your holiday traditions. Whether you’re baking with family or creating edible gifts, they’re sure to bring joy and festive cheer. Try them out and let us know how your cookies turned out!

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