Gingerbread Man Cookies are a classic treat that bring a little bit of holiday magic right into your kitchen. These cookies are soft with just the right amount of spice—think cinnamon, ginger, and a touch of clove—that makes them smell amazing while baking. Plus, shaping and decorating those little gingerbread men is half the fun!
I love making these cookies with friends and family because everyone can get creative decorating their own gingerbread men. I like to use colorful icing and candy buttons to give each cookie its own personality. It’s such a simple way to spread some joy and it always makes me feel like a kid again.
After they’re baked, I like to enjoy the cookies with a warm cup of tea or milk. They’re perfect for sharing at holiday parties or even just as a sweet treat after dinner. Honestly, making gingerbread men always reminds me of cozy nights spent laughing in the kitchen, and that’s why I keep coming back to this recipe year after year.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Molasses: This gives gingerbread its signature deep flavor and moist texture. If you don’t have molasses, dark corn syrup or maple syrup can work but the taste will be milder.
Spices (ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg): Freshly ground spices pack more punch, but pre-ground is fine. Feel free to adjust the amounts to suit your spice preference.
Butter: Unsalted butter gives great flavor and texture. You can swap for coconut oil if you want a dairy-free option; it changes the taste a bit but still works well.
Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a mild caramel flavor. You can use light or dark brown sugar, or even coconut sugar for a different twist.
How Do I Roll and Cut Out Gingerbread Cookies Without Sticking or Losing Shape?
Rolling the dough smoothly takes some care. Here’s what helps me:
- Chill the dough well before rolling—it’s easier to handle and less sticky.
- Lightly flour your surface and rolling pin, but don’t use too much flour, or cookies can turn tough.
- Roll evenly to about 1/4-inch thickness so cookies bake evenly and hold together well.
- Dip your cookie cutter in flour before cutting to prevent sticking and get clean edges.
- After cutting, transfer cookies gently with a flat spatula to your baking sheet to keep their shape.
Taking these small steps makes your gingerbread men cute and sturdy, ready for decorating!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls – I use large bowls to easily combine the ingredients and keep everything clean.
- Electric mixer – makes creaming the butter and sugar quick and effortless.
- Measuring cups and spoons – help you add ingredients accurately for the best flavor and texture.
- Rolling pin – essential for even dough thickness so your cookies bake uniformly.
- Gingerbread cookie cutter – creates fun, festive shapes easily and consistently.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat – makes removing baked cookies simple and keeps your sheet clean.
- Cookie spatula – handy for transferring cookies from sheet to rack without breaking them.
- Piping bags and small tips – optional, for decorating with icing beautifully.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle in some chocolate chips before baking for an indulgent twist.
- White Chocolate Drizzle: Melt white chocolate and drizzle over decorated cookies for a sweet shine.
- Orange Zest: Add a teaspoon of orange zest into the dough for a citrusy boost that pairs well with spices.
- Ginger & Cinnamon Double Punch: Increase ginger or cinnamon to enhance warmth and spice aroma.
Gingerbread Man Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Cookies:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper (optional, for depth)
- 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Decorating Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk or water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or lemon juice
- Food coloring (red, green, etc.)
- Small round candies or sprinkles for buttons
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare the dough, 2 hours (or overnight) to chill, 10 minutes to cut and bake the cookies, plus about 20 minutes to decorate. Total time is roughly 3 hours or more depending on chilling and decorating.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper (if using). Set this mixture aside.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add Egg and Molasses:
Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until everything is fully combined and smooth.
4. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until well combined. The dough will be thick and sticky.
5. Chill Dough:
Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a flat disk. Wrap each disk tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to firm up.
6. Preheat Oven:
When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
7. Roll and Cut Shapes:
Lightly flour your kitchen surface and rolling pin. Roll the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Transfer each cookie carefully to the baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between them.
8. Bake:
Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until the edges look set but the centers are still slightly soft. This helps keep your cookies tender.
9. Cool:
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move them to wire racks to cool completely before decorating.
10. Prepare Royal Icing:
In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of milk or water and the vanilla extract or lemon juice. Whisk until smooth. If needed, add a little more liquid until the icing is thick but pipeable. Divide the icing into bowls and add food coloring as desired.
11. Decorate:
Use piping bags or ziplock bags with the corner snipped off to decorate the gingerbread men with the icing. Add small candy buttons or sprinkles while the icing is still wet. Let the icing dry and harden before storing or serving.
12. Store:
Keep your gingerbread men in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They stay fresh and delicious!
Can I Use Gluten-Free Flour for These Cookies?
Yes! You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just be sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to help hold the cookies together.
How Do I Keep My Gingerbread Men Soft?
To keep them tender, avoid overbaking—take them out when edges are set but centers feel slightly soft. Also, storing cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread can help maintain moisture.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! The dough can be made and refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling and cutting.
What’s the Best Way to Decorate Gingerbread Men?
Use royal icing with a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a small corner cut off for precise lines. Decorate when cookies are fully cooled, and add small candies right after piping while the icing is still wet.
