Cozy & Sweet Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe

Baking these soft & chewy gingerbread men cookies brings childhood memories flooding back with warm, nostalgic delight.

Spicy aromas will dance through your kitchen as molasses and rich spices blend into delectable dough.

Classic holiday treats deserve special attention and care during preparation.

Crisp edges and tender centers create the perfect cookie texture everyone craves.

Decorated gingerbread figures spark joy and playful creativity for bakers of all ages.

Sweet memories emerge with each carefully crafted cookie shape.

You’ll love how simple ingredients transform into magical seasonal delights that connect generations.

Unleash your inner pastry artist and make something truly memorable today.

Gingerbread Men Cookies That Stay Soft and Sweet

• Minimal ingredients and simple steps make this recipe perfect for busy home bakers who want delicious results without complicated techniques.
• Create memorable moments by decorating these soft, chewy cookies together, turning a basic recipe into a cherished seasonal ritual that everyone will look forward to each year.
• Customize with different decorations, sprinkles, or icing to match various holidays or personal preferences, making these cookies a go-to recipe for multiple celebrations.

Baking Must-Haves for Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

• Butter, Brown Sugar: Rich, sweet base that creates soft and chewy texture.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture.
• Molasses: Provides deep, warm flavor and helps maintain cookie softness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for cookie; choose unbleached for better texture.
• Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves: Classic warm spices that define gingerbread flavor profile.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavors.

• Royal Icing: Traditional cookie decoration that hardens for detailed designs.
• Sprinkles, Candies: Optional decorative elements for visual appeal and extra sweetness.

Shape and Bake Gingerbread Cookies with Ease

Step 1: Mix Wet Ingredients

• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Egg
• Molasses
• Vanilla extract

Grab a large mixing bowl and cream the butter and brown sugar until they become fluffy and light. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until everything blends smoothly.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Ground ginger
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Cloves
• Baking soda
• Salt

In a separate bowl, whisk all dry ingredients together creating a uniform powder mixture. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft, cohesive dough forms.

Step 3: Chill Dough

Split the dough into two equal disks. Wrap each disk tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. Chilling helps develop deeper flavors and makes the dough easier to handle.

Step 4: Prepare Baking Surface

Preheat the oven to 350F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Lightly dust a clean surface with flour.

Step 5: Shape Gingerbread Men

Roll out one dough disk to a thin, even layer. Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to create adorable cookie shapes. Transfer cutouts to prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart.

Step 6: Bake Cookies

Place baking sheets in the preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges look set but centers remain soft. Watch carefully to prevent overcooking.

Step 7: Cool and Decorate

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling. Once cooled, decorate with royal icing, colorful sprinkles, or fun candies.

Tricks for Chewy Cookies with Spiced Flavor

• Customize Cookie Thickness: Roll dough to consistent 14-inch thickness for uniform baking and perfectly chewy texture.
• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and enhance flavor development during baking.
• Prevent Overbaking: Remove cookies from oven when edges are set but centers remain soft to maintain signature soft and chewy consistency.
• Handle Delicate Cookies Gently: Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to prevent breaking.
• Decorate with Creativity: Wait until cookies completely cool before adding royal icing or decorations to ensure clean, crisp designs.

How to Store Your Gingerbread Men Like a Pro

• Store cooled gingerbread men in an airtight container, layered between parchment paper, for up to 7 days in the refrigerator. Keep cookies away from moisture to maintain their crisp texture.
• Pack completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container with wax paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness. Alternatively, place cookies in a preheated 300F oven for 2-3 minutes to refresh their texture and warmth.
• If cookies become slightly hard, add a slice of bread to the storage container overnight to help them regain moisture and chewiness.

Best Drinks to Pair with Gingerbread Cookies

• Serve gingerbread men cookies alongside creamy hot chocolate or spiced chai latte to complement the cookie's warm, bold spices and create a comforting winter experience.
• Enjoy these cookies with eggnog or mulled wine, which echo the cookies' rich molasses and warm spice profile, enhancing the traditional holiday taste sensation.
• Sip on cold milk or vanilla almond milk to balance the cookies' chewy texture and provide a cool, smooth counterpoint to the spicy, dense gingerbread.
• Try pairing with a light, crisp ginger tea or a caramel-infused coffee to highlight the cookies' complex flavor notes and add an interesting dimension to the tasting experience.

Creative Designs for Gingerbread Cookie Fun

• Gluten-Free Gingerbread: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum for a celiac-friendly version that maintains soft texture and classic spice profile.
• Vegan Spice Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and select plant-based molasses to create a dairy-free and egg-free alternative with rich gingerbread flavor.
• Low-Sugar Gingerbread: Substitute brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reduce molasses quantity, and add extra spices to compensate for reduced sweetness, creating a more diabetic-friendly cookie option.
• Keto-Friendly Ginger Cookies: Use almond flour or coconut flour, replace sugar with erythritol, and incorporate additional warming spices to develop a low-carb cookie that satisfies traditional gingerbread cravings.

Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive gingerbread men cookies bring holiday cheer with warming spices and sweet nostalgia. Rich molasses and classic spices unite in these charming treats that invite celebration and comfort during winter gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups (360 grams) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (150 grams) brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) unsulfured molasses
• ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Decorating Ingredients (Optional):

• Royal icing (store-bought or homemade)
• Assorted sprinkles or candies

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Instructions

1. Craft a luxurious gingerbread dough by whipping butter and brown sugar into a creamy consistency, then incorporate egg, molasses, and vanilla until thoroughly blended.
2. Sift together dry ingredients – flour, warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt – creating a fragrant spice blend.
3. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, kneading until a supple, aromatic dough emerges.
4. Partition dough into two uniform disks, encase in plastic membrane, and refrigerate for minimum one hour to enhance flavor development and texture.
5. Warm oven to 350F, preparing baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie release.
6. Dust work surface with delicate flour, rolling dough to gossamer-thin consistency, approximately 14-inch thickness.
7. Carefully stamp out gingerbread silhouettes using festive cookie cutter, transferring delicate shapes onto prepared sheets with precise one-inch spacing.
8. Recycle dough remnants, re-rolling and cutting additional cookie figures until mixture is exhausted.
9. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes, ensuring edges solidify while centers maintain tender softness.
10. Allow cookies to rest momentarily on baking sheet, then transition to cooling rack for complete temperature reduction.
11. Embellish cooled cookies with intricate royal icing, playful sprinkles, or whimsical candy accents, permitting decorative elements to set before serving.

Notes

• Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and creates a more defined gingerbread man shape during baking.
• Use fresh, high-quality spices to ensure a robust and aromatic ginger flavor that makes these cookies truly memorable.
• For a gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, ensuring the same soft and chewy texture.
• Control cookie thickness carefully – thinner cookies crisp up faster, while thicker ones stay delightfully soft and tender.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 75mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 20mg