Gingerbread man cookies have captured the hearts of both children and adults, thanks to their soft, sweet, and warmly spiced flavor. Whether you’re on a quest for Christmas treats or simply craving the comforting taste of gingerbread, this beloved cookie recipe is sure to delight. Its ease of preparation, flexibility in shape, and fun factor when decorating make it an ideal choice for bakers of all skill levels. The buttery, soft cookies hold their form beautifully, awaiting your creative touch with frosting and candies. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just looking for a sweet treat to share, these gingerbread men are sure to satisfy. And if you enjoy these tasty treats, be sure to check out our easy reindeer cupcakes and chocolate-covered strawberry reindeer recipes for more holiday fun!
Why You’ll Love Them
Indulging in the sweet and spicy delight of gingerbread men is a universal pleasure. The harmonious blend of warmly spiced cookie dough, soft and sugary frosting, and colorful candies creates a treat that effortlessly dissolves on the palate. This unique recipe diverges from traditional approaches by employing chilling as a means to firm up the molasses-rich dough, thereby eliminating the need for excess flour that would otherwise mute the flavors. A triumph of simplicity, this gingerbread recipe is remarkably accessible even to novice bakers. The absence of complexity makes it an effortless decision to opt for homemade goodness over store-bought alternatives.
How to Make Gingerbread Cookies
To bring your gingerbread cookie creations to life, start by combining the dry ingredients: whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Next, cream together the unsalted butter, white and brown sugar, molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. Then, bring both mixtures together, mixing until a sandy-textured dough forms. To ensure the dough holds its shape, chill it overnight or for at least 4 hours – don’t worry if it’s still sticky, this is due to the molasses and will dissipate after chilling. Once chilled, roll out the cookie dough on a lightly floured surface and use gingerbread man cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. Arrange these shapes on parchment paper-covered baking sheets. Preheat your oven and bake until the edges are crisp, then let the cookies cool completely before decorating with white frosting mixed with powdered sugar. Use this mixture to pipe on eyes, a smile, and decorate arms and legs. Finally, add a touch of whimsy with mini M&M’s candies.
Substitutions and Variations
Feel free to get creative with your candy choice, swapping out the mini M&Ms for small treats like red hot candies. Alternatively, experiment with different extracts beyond vanilla to give this recipe a unique twist that suits your taste buds.
How to Serve Gingerbread Man Cookies
Enjoying gingerbread man cookies is a delightful experience that can be paired with a variety of beverages. A glass of cold milk, hot coffee, or even your favorite tea or latte are all great matches. But if you’re a true gingerbread enthusiast, you might also want to consider trying out creative recipes like gingerbread trifle or cheesecake. The warm spices and sweet flavors of these treats pair perfectly with the classic cookie, making for a truly indulgent treat.
How to Store Soft Gingerbread Cookies
This gingerbread man recipe remains fresh for up to three days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. A cookie jar will suffice, but for optimal results, opt for an airtight tin or similar container that effectively seals out air and moisture. For longer preservation, you can also freeze the cookies. To do so, wrap each gingerbread man individually to prevent moisture buildup. When you’re ready to enjoy them, allow the frozen cookies to thaw at room temperature without unwrapping them, thereby preventing condensation from forming and making the cookies soggy.
Gingerbread Man Cookies FAQs
The ideal texture of gingerbread man cookies is a topic of debate, but this recipe yields soft and chewy treats. To achieve this, it’s essential to include chilling time in your process. If you skip this step or add excess flour to combat stickiness, the result will be harder, drier, and less flavorful cookies. By embracing the chill, you’ll end up with a delightful texture and ensure the cookies retain their shape during baking. As for the frosting, while royal icing is great for decorating due to its hard-set properties, it’s not the best choice for these gingerbread men. The soft frosting provides a richer taste experience. Just be mindful of stacking the cookies, as this can cause the frosting to smear.
Gingerbread Cookies Recipe
Easy Gingerbread Man Cookies
Gingerbread man cookies have won the hearts of both children and adults with their soft, sweet, and warm spice-filled charm. With only 10 minutes of preparation time, this delightful treat requires a mere 10 minutes of cooking time, followed by a 4-hour chill period to allow the flavors to meld together. In total, you’ll spend about 4 hours and 20 minutes creating these tasty treats that yield 32 servings.
Instructions
In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 cups of flour, 2 teaspoons of ground ginger, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon each of baking soda and baking powder, and a pinch of Kosher salt. Set the dry ingredients aside. In a large bowl, cream together 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, 1 1/3 cups of light brown sugar, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup of molasses until smooth. Beat in 1 large egg and 1 1/2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined – the dough should appear sandy. Form a ball with your hands, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results. When you’re ready to bake, remove the dough from the fridge, preheat your oven to 350°F, and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out one half of the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to create gingerbread man shapes – repeat until all the dough is used up. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and crisp. Allow the cookies to cool completely on a cooling rack before decorating (about 10 minutes). Meanwhile, mix 1 16-ounce tub of white frosting with 1 cup of powdered sugar using a hand or stand mixer. Once the cookies have cooled, fit a piping bag with the white frosting mixture and cut a small hole in the tip. Use this to add eyes, a smile, and buttons to your gingerbread men, letting your creativity shine through!