Easy Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe

How to Make Classic Gingerbread Men Cookies 

The sweet, spicy aroma of gingerbread baking is one of the most iconic scents of the holiday season. Gingerbread men cookies, with their charming shapes and cheerful decorations, have been a beloved tradition for centuries. Their history is surprisingly rich, dating back to the court of Queen Elizabeth I, who is said to have had gingerbread figures made in the likeness of her important guests.

Today, baking gingerbread men is a fun activity for all ages, bringing families and friends together to create something delicious and festive. This guide will walk you through every step, from mixing the perfect spiced dough to decorating your creations. We’ll provide a classic, no-fail recipe and share some creative ideas to make your cookies stand out. Let’s get baking!

Essential Baking Tools

Before you start, having the right tools can make the baking process smoother and more enjoyable. If you need to stock up your kitchen, here are some excellent products available on Amazon that we recommend for this recipe.

• Baking Sheets: A good baking sheet ensures your cookies bake evenly without burning. The Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet is a fantastic choice. It’s durable, conducts heat well, and is large enough to bake a good-sized batch of cookies at once.
• Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutters: The star of the show! A set of cookie cutters gives you options for size and shape. We like the Ann Clark Cookie Cutters 3-Piece Gingerbread Man Set, which offers three different sizes, perfect for creating a whole gingerbread family. They are sturdy and cut cleanly through the dough.
• Rolling Pin: For evenly rolled dough, a reliable rolling pin is a must. The Farberware Classic Wood Rolling Pin is a simple, effective tool that gets the job done. Its comfortable handles provide great control as you roll.
• Decorating Supplies: To bring your gingerbread men to life, you’ll need some decorating tools. The Wilton Master Decorating Tip Set is a comprehensive kit that includes various tips, couplers, and pastry bags. It’s perfect for both beginners and experienced decorators who want to create detailed designs with royal icing.

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Classic Gingerbread Men Recipe

This recipe yields a soft yet sturdy gingerbread cookie, perfect for decorating. The dough is packed with warm spices and rich molasses for that classic flavor.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup molasses
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Royal Icing:

• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons meringue powder
• 4-5 tablespoons warm water
• Food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices (ginger, cinnamon, and cloves). Set aside.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and dark brown sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, followed by the molasses and vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well combined.
4. Mix Dough: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. The dough will be soft and a bit sticky.
5. Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disk, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight. Chilling is a crucial step that makes the dough easier to roll and prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
6. Preheat and Prepare: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll and Cut: Lightly flour your work surface and one of the chilled dough disks. Roll the dough out to about ¼-inch thickness. Use your gingerbread man cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Place the cutouts on the prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart.
8. Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are firm. The centers should still be slightly soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Make the Icing: While the cookies cool, prepare the royal icing. In a bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and meringue powder. Add the water one tablespoon at a time, mixing until you reach a smooth, pipeable consistency. If you want colored icing, divide it into separate bowls and add your food coloring.
10. Decorate: Once the cookies are completely cool, transfer your icing to piping bags and decorate your gingerbread men. Let the icing set completely before storing.

Creative Decorating Ideas

Decorating is where you can truly let your personality shine! Here are a few ideas for all skill levels.

For Beginners

• Simple and Classic: Use white royal icing to pipe simple buttons, a smile, and eyes. It’s a timeless look that’s always charming.
• Sprinkle Fun: After piping the basic icing details, add some colorful sprinkles before the icing sets. This is an easy way to add a pop of color and texture.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some white or dark chocolate and drizzle it over the cookies for an effortless, elegant finish.

For Intermediate Decorators

• Sweaters and Scarves: Use different colored icings to pipe on cozy sweaters, scarves, or even little hats for your gingerbread men. You can create patterns like stripes or polka dots.
• Flooding Technique: Outline your design with a thicker consistency icing, then “flood” the inside with a thinner icing to create a smooth, solid surface. This is great for making shirts or pants.
• Edible Glitter: Add a touch of sparkle with edible glitter. Apply it to wet icing to make your cookies shimmer.

For Advanced Decorators

• Intricate Piping: Use a fine-tipped piping bag to create detailed patterns, like delicate lace on a dress or intricate swirls on a vest.
• 3D Elements: Create small 3D accessories from fondant, like tiny bows, hats, or even little gift boxes for your gingerbread men to hold.
• Airbrushing: Use an airbrush with edible food coloring to create beautiful gradients and shading on your flooded icing surfaces, adding depth and realism to your designs.

Read More: The Best White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies Recipe

Share Your Festive Creations

Baking gingerbread men is more than just making a treat; it’s about creating memories and starting traditions. This classic recipe provides the perfect foundation, but the real magic happens when you gather with loved ones to decorate and share your edible works of art.

We encourage you to try this recipe this holiday season. Get creative with your decorations and don’t be afraid to experiment with different spices or designs. We would love to see what you make! Share your gingerbread men on social media and tag us so we can admire your festive creations.

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