If you’re dreaming of a cozy holiday baking session filled with warm spices and nostalgic fun, this Gingerbread Men Recipe is just what you need. It brings together simple ingredients like molasses, cinnamon, and ginger to create perfectly soft yet slightly crisp gingerbread cookies shaped into charming little men. Not only are these cookies a joy to bake, but decorating them is an absolute delight that will bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Whether it’s a festive party or a quiet afternoon, these gingerbread men add that magical touch of warmth and sweetness that feels like a loving holiday hug.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Gingerbread Men Recipe uses straightforward pantry essentials that each play an important role in delivering the right texture, flavor, and color to your cookies. From spices that evoke the spirit of the season to smooth butter for the perfect crumb, every item is key.
- Flour (3 cups, plain/all purpose): Provides the base structure for soft yet sturdy cookies.
- Baking powder (3 tsp): Helps your gingerbread men rise just enough to be tender but not cake-like.
- Ground ginger (1 tbsp): Adds that classic, zesty warmth distinctive to gingerbread.
- Ground cinnamon (2 tsp): Rounds out the spice profile with sweet, woody notes.
- Mixed spice (1 tsp): A secret blend that deepens the holiday flavor.
- Ground cloves (1/4 tsp): A little goes a long way to boost complexity and aroma.
- Unsalted butter (85g or 5 1/2 tbsp, softened): Brings richness and tenderness to the dough.
- Brown sugar (3/4 cup): Adds moisture and a lovely caramel undertone; light or dark is your choice for subtle flavor shifts.
- Large egg (1, room temperature): Binds ingredients together while contributing to the dough’s soft texture.
- Vanilla extract (2 tsp): Enhances all the other flavors with its sweet, floral hint.
- Molasses (1/2 cup, light or true, not blackstrap): The soul of gingerbread, offering rich color and deep, luscious flavor.
How to Make Gingerbread Men Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients
Start by combining all your dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and spices—in one bowl. Whisk them together thoroughly so the flavors distribute evenly, ensuring every gingerbread man bursts with that perfect spice blend.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a separate mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar using a stand mixer or electric beater at a high speed for about 2 minutes. This step is where air gets incorporated, making the dough light and setting the stage for tender cookies.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Next, add the egg and vanilla extract to the buttery mixture. Beat on medium speed until well combined. The egg gives structure and moisture, while vanilla uplifts the overall flavor beautifully.
Step 4: Mix in Molasses
Pour in the molasses and continue mixing on a slower speed for about one minute. The molasses enriches the dough with that iconic gingerbread color and a deep, slightly smoky sweetness that’s simply irresistible.
Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients Gradually
Add the dry ingredient mixture in four batches, starting on the lowest mixer speed to prevent flour from flying everywhere. Mix each addition until fully blended before adding the next. Pause for a final 15 seconds of mixing once all has been combined—your dough should feel soft and slightly sticky at this point.
Step 6: Refrigerate the Dough
Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it tightly with cling wrap, and chill it in the refrigerator for at least two hours. This rest allows the dough to firm up, making it easier to roll and cut out your gingerbread men shapes later on.
Step 7: Prepare for Baking
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) or 170°C for fan ovens. Line your baking trays with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Step 8: Divide and Roll Out Dough
Remove the dough from the fridge, cut it in half, and return one half to chill. Take the other half and place it between two lightly floured sheets of baking paper. Gently roll out the dough to about 4mm thickness. This method keeps the dough smooth and prevents it from sticking.
Step 9: Cut Out Gingerbread Men
Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to press down firmly and cut shapes. If the cutter sticks, simply dip it in flour between cuts. A sharp edge on the cutter helps define crisp outlines for your cookies.
Step 10: Transfer and Bake
Carefully lift the cut cookies using a palette or butter knife and place them six per tray. Bake for 12 minutes for a classic light golden finish or 14 minutes for a crisper, deeper color. Let them cool fully on the trays before decorating.
Step 11: Repeat for Remaining Dough
Gather the dough scraps, press them together, roll out again, and cut more shapes. If the dough becomes too sticky, pop it back in the refrigerator to chill before carrying on. You should end up with around 18 to 20 gingerbread men depending on your cutter size.
Step 12: Decorate Your Gingerbread Men Recipe
Once your cookies are completely cool, the fun really begins! Use royal icing to pipe on details like eyes, buttons, and smiles. This icing hardens beautifully and won’t soak into your cookies, making your gingerbread men look fabulous and last longer.
How to Serve Gingerbread Men Recipe
Garnishes
Decorating doesn’t have to be basic—try colorful icing, small candy buttons, or edible glitter for sparkle. You can even add tiny chocolate chips or nuts for a delightful crunch, turning each cookie into a mini edible masterpiece.
Side Dishes
Pair these gingerbread men with a warm drink like spiced cider, hot chocolate, or your favorite herbal tea. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on the side makes the treat feel extra indulgent and winter-wonderland perfect.
Creative Ways to Present
Display your gingerbread men on a festive platter lined with parchment and dusted with powdered sugar snow. For gifting, stack them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon or present them alongside homemade mulled wine for a charming holiday hostess gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover gingerbread men fresh by placing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delightfully chewy or crisp for up to a week, perfect for snacking or decorating over days.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead, wrap the dough tightly and freeze for up to three months. You can also freeze fully decorated cookies packed in layers separated with parchment paper—just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
While these cookies are delicious cold, a quick warm-up in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes can restore a freshly baked feel. Avoid microwaving as it can make them soggy or dry out the texture.
FAQs
Can I use dark brown sugar instead of light?
Absolutely! Dark brown sugar will give a richer, slightly more molasses-like flavor, which is lovely in this Gingerbread Men Recipe. Just keep in mind the flavor will be deeper and the cookies a bit darker.
Is molasses necessary, or can I substitute it?
Molasses is key for authentic gingerbread flavor and color. However, if you don’t have it, you can use unsulfured black treacle or dark corn syrup as substitutes, but the taste may vary slightly.
How do I prevent my gingerbread men from spreading while baking?
Ensure your dough is well chilled before rolling out and cutting shapes. Also, work quickly when transferring them to baking sheets without stretching the dough. Using parchment paper and proper chilling will help maintain shape perfectly.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
With some experimentation, yes. Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum. Texture might differ slightly, but the flavors will still shine wonderfully.
What’s the best way to decorate gingerbread men for kids?
Keep it fun and simple by using colored icing tubes, mini chocolate chips, and candy sprinkles. Letting kids have free rein to decorate encourages creativity and makes the baking experience extra special for everyone involved.
Final Thoughts
This Gingerbread Men Recipe is not just cookies — it’s a warm tradition waiting to happen in your kitchen. The aroma, the decorating fun, and the joy of sharing these little spicy treats make every step worthwhile. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and bake your own batch of happiness to savor and share this season.
Print
Gingerbread Men Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 70 minutes plus at least 2 hours chilling
- Yield: 18 to 20 gingerbread men cookies depending on cutter size
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This classic gingerbread men recipe produces soft, spicy, and slightly sticky dough that bakes into delightful, light golden or dark crisp cookies. Perfect for holiday baking, these charming gingerbread men are easy to make with simple ingredients, chilled dough for easy rolling, and decorated with royal icing for a festive touch.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups plain/all-purpose flour
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
Wet Ingredients
- 85g (5 1/2 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark brown recommended)
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup light molasses (true molasses, NOT blackstrap)
Instructions
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In one bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, ground ginger, cinnamon, mixed spice, and ground cloves thoroughly.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a separate bowl, use a stand mixer or electric beater on speed 7 to cream the softened butter and brown sugar together for 2 minutes, or until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Egg & Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, mixing on speed 5 for about 30 seconds until fully combined.
- Add Molasses: Pour in the molasses and mix on speed 2 for 1 minute until evenly distributed.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture in four batches, mixing on speed 1 to prevent flour flying, until fully incorporated. Mix for an additional 15 seconds once all dry ingredients are added. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
- Refrigerate Dough: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in cling film, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm. It can be refrigerated up to 5 days or frozen for 3 months.
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Trays: Set oven to 375°F/190°C (170°C fan) and position a shelf in the middle. Line three baking trays with parchment or baking paper.
- Divide Dough: Remove dough from refrigerator, cut in half, wrap one half and return it to chill.
- Roll Out Dough: Lightly flour a baking paper sheet and place dough on it. Lightly flour dough surface, place another sheet on top, and roll out to 4mm (1/6 inch) thickness. Flip dough occasionally and smooth wrinkles in paper as needed.
- Cut Shapes: Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter pressing firmly through dough. Dip cutter in flour if dough sticks.
- Transfer to Baking Tray: Use a palette or large knife to transfer cut cookies onto tray, spacing six per sheet. Clean edges as needed with a butter knife.
- Bake First Tray: Bake for 12 minutes for light golden cookies or 14 minutes for dark golden and crisp cookies. Cool fully on the tray.
- Re-roll Scraps: Gather and press dough scraps together. If sticky, chill before rerolling. Use the second half of chilled dough when ready.
- Bake Remaining Trays: Continue rolling, cutting, and baking the second and third trays with 6 to 8 cookies each, baking one tray at a time for workflow efficiency.
- Decorate: Once completely cooled on trays, decorate gingerbread men using royal icing. Use half of the recommended royal icing batch; leftovers can be frozen in sealed piping bags for future use.
Notes
- Note 1: Mixed spice typically includes cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and sometimes mace, giving depth to the flavor.
- Note 2: Ground cloves add warmth but should be used sparingly due to their pungency.
- Note 3: Softened butter ensures proper creaming for a lighter cookie texture.
- Note 4: Light or dark brown sugar both work; dark brown will yield a richer flavor.
- Note 5: Using an egg at room temperature improves incorporation and dough texture.
- Note 6: Use light molasses (true molasses), not blackstrap molasses which is more bitter and less sweet.
- Note 7: Rolling between sheets of baking paper prevents sticking and tear; lightly flour each surface.
- Note 8: Keep the cookie cutter floured to easily cut through dough without sticking.
