Description
Delightfully spiced and sweet gingerbread men cookies with a soft texture and classic holiday flavors. These easy-to-make cookies are perfect for decorating with homemade icing and sharing with family and friends during festive occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- ⅓ cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- ½ tsp salt
Icing
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ Tbsp whole milk
- ½ Tbsp light corn syrup
Instructions
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add butter, brown sugar, and molasses to a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric hand or stand mixer until all ingredients are combined smoothly.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, stir in the egg and vanilla extract thoroughly into the wet mixture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground allspice, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and leavening.
- Form Dough: Gradually add about one cup of the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir to combine. Continue adding the flour mixture slowly while stirring until the dough is well combined and forms a workable consistency.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough in half and place each half onto two pieces of plastic wrap. Wrap securely and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight to firm up the dough for easier rolling.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: When ready, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for baking.
- Prepare Rolling Surface: On a clean, flat surface, sprinkle a handful of flour to prevent sticking. Lightly flour the rolling pin as well.
- Roll Out Dough: Remove one dough ball from the fridge, place it on the floured surface, and lightly flour the top. Roll the dough out to approximately ¼ inch thickness.
- Cut Cookies: Use a 3-inch gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Place the cut cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 7-10 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown slightly, indicating they are done.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Make Icing: Mix together powdered sugar, whole milk, and light corn syrup until smooth to create the decorating icing.
- Decorate: Transfer the icing to a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with a small cut made in one corner. Pipe designs onto the cooled cookies and allow the icing to set for at least 20-30 minutes before serving or storing.
Notes
- For best results, chill dough overnight to develop flavor and firmness for easier handling.
- If dough becomes too soft while rolling, refrigerate it again before cutting shapes.
- You can decorate cookies with colored icing or sprinkles for festive variations.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to a week.
- The baking time may vary slightly based on your oven; watch closely to avoid overbaking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: gingerbread men cookies, holiday cookies, gingerbread recipe, Christmas cookies, decorated cookies
