Gingerbread men are a delightful holiday treat loved by many. Their sweet, spicy aroma fills the kitchen and brings a cozy feeling. These charming cookies are not just fun to bake; they also allow for creativity in decorating. Whether you’re making them for a festive gathering or just a treat for yourself, gingerbread men are sure to bring joy.
Why Make This Recipe
There are many reasons to make gingerbread men. First, they are simple to prepare, making them perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Second, they are a fun activity for families, especially during the holidays. Children and adults alike will enjoy cutting, decorating, and eating these tasty cookies. Additionally, the spices used in this recipe fill your kitchen with a warm and inviting scent that adds to the holiday spirit.
How to Make Gingerbread Men
Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour (plain/all-purpose)
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp mixed spice (Note 1)
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves (Note 2)
- 85g / 5 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter (softened) (Note 3)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark brown) (Note 4)
- 1 large egg (at room temperature) (Note 5)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup molasses (light/true, NOT blackstrap) (Note 6)
Directions:
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, mixed spice, and cloves.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together using a stand mixer or an electric beater on speed 7 for about 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Egg & Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix on speed 5 until well combined, about 30 seconds.
- Add Molasses: Carefully add the molasses to the mixture and mix on speed 2 for about 1 minute.
- Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add 1/4 of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Start mixing on speed 1 to avoid flying flour. Repeat until all dry ingredients are combined, then mix for an additional 15 seconds. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
- Refrigerate: Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in cling film, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm (you can refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for 3 months).
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) with a shelf in the middle position. Line 3 baking trays with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Dough: Take the dough out of the refrigerator and cut it in half. Wrap one half and return it to the fridge.
- Roll Out the Dough: Lightly sprinkle a sheet of baking paper with flour. Place the dough on top, sprinkle with flour, then place another sheet of baking paper on top. Roll out the dough until it is about 4mm thick. If the paper wrinkles, peel it off and smooth it out.
- Cut Out Shapes: Use a gingerbread cookie cutter to cut out gingerbread men shapes. If the dough sticks, dip the cutter in flour.
- Transfer to Baking Sheet: Use a palette knife to transfer the shapes onto the baking sheet, placing 6 on the first sheet. Tidy the edges if needed.
- Bake Tray 1: Bake for 12 minutes for a light golden color or 14 minutes for a dark golden and crisp finish. Remove and let cool completely on the tray.
- Repeat: Gather any scraps of dough, press them together, and roll out again. If the dough is sticky, return it to the fridge and work on the other half of the dough. Repeat the rolling and cutting until you have 18 to 20 gingerbread men.
- Trays 2 & 3: Fill and bake the second and third trays with the remaining gingerbread men.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate as desired! Use half a batch of royal icing to pipe and stick on decorations. Extra icing can be frozen for future use.
How to Serve Gingerbread Men
Serve gingerbread men as a festive treat during the holiday season. They can be enjoyed plain or decorated with icing, candies, and sprinkles. Pair them with a warm cup of tea or cocoa for a cozy holiday experience.
How to Store Gingerbread Men
Store gingerbread men in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to two weeks or freeze them for up to three months.
Tips to Make Gingerbread Men
- Chill the Dough: Make sure to refrigerate the dough as it makes it easier to handle.
- Customize Spices: Feel free to adjust the spices according to your taste. More ginger for a spicier cookie, or reduce the cloves for a milder flavor.
- Decorate Early: Decorate your cookies the same day they are baked for the best results.
Variation
For a chocolate twist, consider adding cocoa powder (about 1/4 cup) to the dry ingredients for chocolate gingerbread men. You can also add chocolate chips to the dough for extra sweetness.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of sugar?
Yes, you can use granulated sugar instead of brown sugar, but the flavor will differ slightly.
2. How do I know when the cookies are done?
Gingerbread men are done when the edges are firm and the centers are slightly soft. They will continue to cook on the baking sheet after you take them out.
3. Can I freeze gingerbread men?
Absolutely! You can freeze baked gingerbread men for up to three months. To thaw, let them sit at room temperature for a few hours.
Gingerbread Men
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups flour (plain/all-purpose)
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp mixed spice Note 1
- ¼ tsp ground cloves Note 2
Wet Ingredients
- 85 g unsalted butter (softened) Note 3
- ¾ cup brown sugar (light or dark brown) Note 4
- 1 large egg (at room temperature) Note 5
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup molasses (light/true, NOT blackstrap) Note 6
Instructions
Preparation
- In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, mixed spice, and cloves.
- In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together using a stand mixer or an electric beater on speed 7 for about 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix on speed 5 until well combined, about 30 seconds.
- Carefully add the molasses to the mixture and mix on speed 2 for about 1 minute.
- Gradually add 1/4 of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Start mixing on speed 1 to avoid flying flour. Repeat until all dry ingredients are combined, then mix for an additional 15 seconds. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
- Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in cling film, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm (you can refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for 3 months).
Baking
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) with a shelf in the middle position. Line 3 baking trays with parchment paper.
- Take the dough out of the refrigerator and cut it in half. Wrap one half and return it to the fridge.
- Lightly sprinkle a sheet of baking paper with flour. Place the dough on top, sprinkle with flour, then place another sheet of baking paper on top. Roll out the dough until it is about 4mm thick. If the paper wrinkles, peel it off and smooth it out.
- Use a gingerbread cookie cutter to cut out gingerbread men shapes. If the dough sticks, dip the cutter in flour.
- Use a palette knife to transfer the shapes onto the baking sheet, placing 6 on the first sheet. Tidy the edges if needed.
- Bake for 12 minutes for a light golden color or 14 minutes for a dark golden and crisp finish. Remove and let cool completely on the tray.
- Gather any scraps of dough, press them together, and roll out again. If the dough is sticky, return it to the fridge and work on the other half of the dough. Repeat the rolling and cutting until you have 18 to 20 gingerbread men.
- Fill and bake the second and third trays with the remaining gingerbread men.
- Once cooled, decorate as desired! Use half a batch of royal icing to pipe and stick on decorations. Extra icing can be frozen for future use.
