Gingerbread Man Cookies
Deliciously soft and chewy gingerbread man cookies that are perfect for decorating and enjoying during the holiday season.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
For Decorating
- 1 batch royal icing Or buttercream, or simple glaze
- 1 cup sprinkles or small candies For festive decoration
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add the molasses and egg, mixing well until combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Baking
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut out shapes using a gingerbread man cookie cutter and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are firm but not hard.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
Decoration
- Once cooled, decorate the cookies with royal icing, buttercream, or a simple glaze.
- Add colorful sprinkles, sanding sugar, or small candies for a festive finish.
Notes
Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag. Allow cookies to sit uncovered briefly before serving to help restore their texture if they're firm after storage.