How to Make the Perfect Gingerbread Men
American · Easy · 30 min · 24 servings
Gingerbread men are one of the most beloved kid friendly holiday baking traditions and decorating these spiced cutout cookies with icing and candy is as fun as eating them. This classic recipe creates firm but tender cookies that hold their shape perfectly for decorating funny faces and colorful outfits.
Why this recipe works
This Gingerbread Men recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 30 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 135 calories with 2g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter softened
- 0.75 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 0.5 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make and Chill the Dough
Beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy, then mix in the molasses and egg. Stir in the flour, ginger, and cinnamon until a smooth dough forms, then wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Step 2: Roll and Cut
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll the chilled dough on a floured surface to 0.25-inch thickness and cut out gingerbread man shapes. Place carefully on parchment-lined baking sheets.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are just set and the cookies look dry on top. Do not wait for them to brown much or they will become too hard.
Step 4: Cool and Decorate
Cool completely on a wire rack before decorating with royal icing, candy buttons, and sprinkles. Set up a decorating station and let kids create their own unique gingerbread people.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- molasses → dark corn syrup or honey for a milder less intense flavor
- dark brown sugar → light brown sugar for a slightly less rich cookie dough
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not chilling the dough long enough causing it to stick to the rolling pin and lose its cut shapes
- Overbaking the cookies until they are dark brown which makes them very hard and difficult for kids to enjoy
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 135 calories, 2g protein, 22g carbs, 5g fat, 0g fiber.
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