The Coziest Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe

Baking these delightful gingerbread men cookies brings warmth and nostalgia to any kitchen.

Festive aromas will quickly fill your home with memories of childhood holidays.

Crisp edges and soft centers create the perfect texture for these delectable treats.

Molasses and warm spices combine to deliver an irresistible flavor profile that everyone loves.

Sweet and spicy notes dance together in each carefully crafted cookie.

Winter celebrations become magical moments when you share these charming little gingerbread friends.

Prepare to create delicious memories that will make everyone smile with delight.

Soft Gingerbread Men Cookies That Warm Hearts

• Create Holiday Magic: Transform your kitchen into a festive wonderland with these charming gingerbread men that capture the spirit of the season and bring joy to everyone who sees them.
• Master Simple Baking: Learn an approachable cookie recipe that requires basic ingredients and straightforward techniques, perfect for bakers of all skill levels from beginners to experienced home cooks.
• Customize with Creativity: Decorate these cookies with royal icing, sprinkles, or candies to make each gingerbread man unique, allowing kids and adults to express their artistic side during family baking time.
• Spread Delicious Cheer: These soft, spiced cookies deliver rich, warm flavors of molasses and traditional holiday spices that make them ideal for gifting, parties, or enjoying with hot cocoa.

Ingredients to Make Soft Gingerbread Men Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The main base that provides structure and texture to the gingerbread cookies.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: These leavening agents help the cookies rise and become soft.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.

• Ground Ginger, Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg, Ground Cloves: These warm spices create the classic gingerbread flavor profile and add depth to the cookies.

• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps create a soft, tender texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture, sweetness, and a deep caramel-like flavor to the cookies.
• Molasses: Gives the cookies their signature dark color and rich, complex taste.
• Egg: Helps bind the ingredients and provides structure to the cookies.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor and adds a subtle sweetness.

• Royal Icing, Edible Decorations: Used to add festive details and personal touch to the gingerbread men cookies.

How to Bake Soft Gingerbread Men Cookies Perfectly

Step 1: Prepare the Magical Cookie Dough

Whip up a delicious foundation by mixing dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Grab a whisk and combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, warm spices, and salt.

In a separate large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy. Pour in the rich molasses, crack in an egg, and add a splash of vanilla, blending everything until smooth.

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients, stirring until a soft, pliable dough comes together. Split the dough into two equal portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and let them chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours – this helps develop incredible flavor and makes the dough easier to handle.

Step 2: Shape Adorable Cookie Characters

Get your oven ready by preheating to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

Dust your work surface with a light coating of flour. Take out one portion of the chilled dough and roll it out to a 1/4-inch thickness.

Unleash your creativity with gingerbread men cookie cutters, carefully cutting out charming little cookie people. Gently transfer the cut-out shapes to the prepared baking sheets.

Repeat the process with the remaining dough.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes.

Look for edges that are set but centers that remain slightly soft – this ensures a tender, chewy texture. Once done, let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes.

Then, carefully transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 4: Bring Cookies to Life with Decorations

When the cookies have cooled down, it’s time to add personality!

Grab royal icing and any edible decorations you’d like to use. Create faces, buttons, or intricate designs that make each gingerbread man unique.

Allow the icing to set fully before serving or storing these delightful treats.

Tips to Nail Soft Gingerbread Men Cookies

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain sharp cookie shapes during baking.
• Use fresh spices like ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg for maximum flavor intensity and aromatic warmth.
• Roll dough between parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure uniform thickness without adding extra flour.
• Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating to prevent icing from melting and ensure crisp, clean designs.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain soft and chewy texture.

Variations to Refresh Gingerbread Men Cookies

• Gluten-Free Gingerbread Friends: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the classic spicy flavor.
• Vegan Spice Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax egg instead of regular egg, and ensure molasses is vegan-friendly for a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Sugar Ginger Treats: Reduce brown sugar, use monk fruit sweetener, or replace with applesauce to create a lower-calorie cookie option with reduced sugar content.
• Chocolate-Spiced Variation: Add cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and mix dark chocolate chips into the dough for a rich, indulgent gingerbread experience with deeper flavor complexity.

Pairings to Serve With Gingerbread Men Cookies

• Complement the gingerbread cookies' rich, warm spices with a steaming cup of chai tea, enhancing the cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg flavors while creating a cozy winter dessert experience.
• Serve these cookies alongside a glass of mulled wine, where the spicy, sweet red wine perfectly balances the molasses and ginger notes, creating a festive adult dessert combination.
• Top or serve the gingerbread men with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, offering a cool, smooth contrast to the cookies' warm spices and chewy texture.

Storage Advice to Keep Gingerbread Cookies Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days. Keep in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent softening.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cookies or stacks in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.
• Room Temperature: Place in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat. Consume within 3-4 days to ensure optimal taste and texture.
• Revive Texture: Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore softness and fresh-baked warmth.

FAQs

• Why do I need to chill the gingerbread cookie dough?

Chilling helps prevent spreading during baking, makes the dough easier to handle, and allows spices to develop a deeper, richer flavor. It also helps the cookies maintain their crisp gingerbread men shape.

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce or eliminate added salt in the recipe. Unsalted butter is preferred because it gives you more control over the salt content and ensures a consistent flavor in your cookies.

• How thin should I roll the dough?

Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. This ensures the cookies are thin enough to be crisp on the edges but still soft and chewy in the center. Too thick, and they’ll be doughy; too thin, and they’ll become too crisp.

Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Gingerbread men cookies invite winter warmth with classic spices and delightful shapes. Festive baking brings families together, creating memories through sweet, spiced treats that connect generations.

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Ingredients

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• 2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (80g) molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (170g) powdered sugar (for royal icing)
• 2–3 tbsps milk or water (for royal icing)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for royal icing)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the dry ingredients by whisking flour, baking soda, baking powder, warm spices, and salt in a medium mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
2. In a separate large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough.
3. Incorporate molasses, egg, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, stirring until all ingredients are fully integrated and create a uniform consistency.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft, pliable dough forms without overmixing.
5. Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap each section tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours to allow flavors to develop and dough to firm up.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough portion to a 1/4-inch thickness, ensuring an even surface for cutting cookie shapes.
8. Use gingerbread men cookie cutters to carefully cut out festive shapes, transferring them to the prepared baking sheets with gentle precision.
9. Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for set edges while maintaining a soft center, which ensures a tender cookie texture.
10. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks for complete cooling.
11. Once fully cooled, decorate with royal icing and festive edible embellishments, letting the icing set before serving.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes during baking.
• Use fresh, high-quality spices like ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg for a more intense, vibrant flavor profile.
• Roll dough between two sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure uniform thickness without adding excess flour.
• Adjust baking time slightly for softer or crispier cookies depending on personal texture preference, watching edges carefully to avoid over-browning.

• Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 133
• Sugar: 13.8 g
• Sodium: 29 mg
• Fat: 4.1 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 22.8 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 18 mg