When the air gets crisp and the days turn shorter, there’s something undeniably magical about gingerbread cookies. The warm spices wafting from the oven evoke memories of cozy get-togethers, kicking off holiday traditions, or simply curling up by the fire with a good book. I remember the first time I baked these Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies—it was a snowy afternoon, and my younger self was a bit of a mischief-maker. Instead of perfectly shaped gingerbread men, I ended up with a motley crew that looked like they’d run a marathon! But that was part of the fun. Here’s how to create your very own batch of perfection and perhaps, another whimsical mischief.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Picture this: cookies that are soft enough to sink your teeth into, yet chewy enough to give you that satisfying bite. As you take a bite, there’s the spice of ginger dancing on your tongue, with cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg whispering sweet nothings. These aren’t your average cookies—they’re infused with nostalgia and warmth that come wrapped in the delightful aroma of baking spices.
What truly sets this recipe apart is the balance. The molasses brings a deep, rich flavor, while the royal icing adds a touch of sweetness and creativity to make each cookie a canvas for your artistic flair. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy get-togethers, or an afternoon of family fun in the kitchen. Trust me, once you try these, they will quickly become a staple in your home.
Gather these ingredients
-
All-purpose flour (3 1/4 cups, plus more) – This is the backbone of the dough, giving it structure and texture. If you’re feeling adventurous, try swapping out a bit for whole wheat flour for added nuttiness.
-
Ground ginger (1 1/2 tablespoons) – Ah, the star of our show! This spice gives that distinctive warm zing. Fresh ginger wouldn’t work here, but if you have access to ginger paste, you could experiment lightly.
-
Cinnamon (1 1/2 teaspoons) – The classic companion to ginger bringing sweetness and warmth that feels like a hug.
-
Ground cloves (1/4 teaspoon) and Nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon) – These spices are the secret handshake of gingerbread. Just enough to add depth without overwhelming.
-
Baking soda (1 teaspoon) – This is the lift that will help our cookies rise perfectly.
-
Salt (1/2 teaspoon) – It’s the magical ingredient that heightens every other flavor, balancing sweetness and spice.
-
Unsalted butter (3/4 cup, softened) – Always go for unsalted here. We’re adding our own salt, and this creamy fat creates that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
-
Light brown sugar (3/4 cup, packed) – This contributes to the chewy texture and introduces a lovely caramel flavor. You can sub dark brown if you’re feeling rich!
-
Molasses (1/2 cup) – Rich, sweet-black syrup that’s non-negotiable in gingerbread. Make sure you’ve got the right kind, though—look for robust flavor!
-
Large egg (1, at room temperature) – This binds it all together and helps with that perfect cookie shape.
-
Powdered sugar (2 1/2 cups) – Essential for making that sweet, shiny royal icing and offers a delightful contrast to the spiced cookie.
-
Warm water (4 tablespoons) – This helps activate the royal icing.
-
Meringue powder (2 tablespoons) and Cream of tartar (1/2 teaspoon) – These are crucial for stabilizing our royal icing. If you’re missing meringue powder, you could go without, but results may vary.
-
Sprinkles of your choice – For that festive touch! Go wild with colors and shapes.
Preparing Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
-
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. This is the moment for toasting your spices in a pan—just a minute or two over low heat will amplify their flavors.
-
Cream Together Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until it’s light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This should feel satisfying.
-
Incorporate Molasses and Egg: Next, add in the molasses and the room-temperature egg. Give it a good mix until smooth.
-
Combine: Gradually introduce your dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Use a spatula or your hands as it comes together—it should form a soft, slightly sticky dough.
-
Chill the Dough: Wrap your dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This is key! It helps the flavors marry and makes rolling out the dough so much easier.
-
Roll It Out: After chilling, dust your surface with flour and roll it out to about 1/4-inch thick. Use cookie cutters to create your gingerbread men (or whatever shapes you fancy).
-
Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake each batch for about 8-10 minutes, keeping a close eye after the 8-minute mark. They should be firm but soft to the touch.
-
Cool: Let them cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
-
Royal Icing: Mix together the powdered sugar, warm water, meringue powder, and cream of tartar. Adjust consistency if too runny by adding more sugar or water as needed. Pipe it like art!
-
Decorate: Let your creative side shine—be bold with your sprinkles!
Best way to enjoy it
Once your cookies are cool and decorated, gather your friends and family around for a little taste test. These cookies are wonderful on their own, but they shine even brighter when paired with a warm cup of tea or a cozy mug of hot chocolate. You could also toss in some ginger tea for a truly thematic experience!
For an extra dose of fun, set up a gingerbread-decorating station with different colored icing, edible glitter, and a variety of sprinkles. Everyone will get to be their own cookie artist, resulting in a delightful array of designs!
Storage and reheating tips
So you’ve made a double batch (way to go!), and now you’re wondering: what to do with the leftovers? After they’ve completely cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh. They’ll really hit their stride in sweetness after a day or two! If you want to keep them longer, pack them well and freeze them. When you’re ready to enjoy, just let them thaw at room temperature.
Pro chef tips
-
Chill, Chill, Chill: Don’t rush the chilling step! That’s crucial for getting that buttery, chewy texture we’re all after.
-
Keeping It Fresh: If you have a busy schedule, consider making the dough a day in advance. Just let it sit in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
-
Baker’s Choice: Adjust the spices according to your preference! I sometimes swap a teaspoon of cardamom for an aromatic twist.
Creative Twists
Feeling adventurous? Try incorporating citrus zest, like orange or lemon, for a bright flavor contrast. You could also add chopped dark chocolate or crystallized ginger pieces into the dough for an unexpected crunch and flavor burst.
Another fun variation would be to glaze your cookies with a lemon icing instead of royal icing for a tangy twist that pairs beautifully with the spices.
Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons warm water
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Sprinkles of your choice
Directions to follow
For the cookies:
- Whisk flour, spices, baking soda, and salt.
- Beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add molasses and egg, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually combine dry ingredients with wet.
- Chill wrapped dough for 2 hours; roll out to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut shapes and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
For the royal icing:
- Whisk powdered sugar, warm water, meringue powder, and cream of tartar until smooth.
- Adjust consistency with more sugar or water if needed.
For decorating:
Pipe icing and embellish with sprinkles!
Common questions
-
How long do these cookies last? They stay fresh in an airtight container for about a week. Freeze for longer storage.
-
Can I skip the royal icing? Sure! These cookies are delicious on their own, and you can enjoy them plain.
-
What if my dough feels too sticky? You can add a bit more flour—just be cautious, as too much can alter the texture.
-
Can I halve the recipe? Absolutely! Just adjust the quantities as needed.
-
What’s the secret to soft cookies? Perfectly measuring your ingredients (don’t pack that flour!), chilling the dough, and not overbaking are key factors!
Baking these Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies isn’t just about the end product; it’s an experience, a ritual, and a bit of magic that fills your home with love and warmth. So go ahead, roll up those sleeves, dive into the festivities, and don’t forget to share your gingerbread adventures and variations! After all, being part of a cooking community means we get to savor each other’s creativity and joy. Ready, set, bake!
Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
Description
These Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are a delightful holiday treat infused with warm spices and perfect for decorating. The rich flavor of molasses combined with a chewy texture makes them irresistible.Ingredients
For the Cookies
For the Royal Icing
Instructions
For the Cookies
-
Prepare Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.Optional: Toast the spices in a pan over low heat for enhanced flavor. -
Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy for about 2-3 minutes. -
Incorporate Wet Ingredients
Add the molasses and the room-temperature egg. Mix until smooth. -
Combine Dough
Gradually introduce the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. -
Chill the Dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.Chilling helps the flavors marry and rolling out easier. -
Roll Out the Dough
Dust your surface with flour and roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thick. -
Cut Shapes and Bake
Use cookie cutters to create shapes and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, monitoring closely.Cookies should be firm but soft to the touch. -
Cool the Cookies
Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
For the Royal Icing
-
Prepare the Icing
Mix together the powdered sugar, warm water, meringue powder, and cream of tartar until smooth.Adjust consistency as needed with more sugar or water. -
Decorate
Pipe the icing onto cooled cookies and embellish with sprinkles.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 24
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 150kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 8g13%
- Saturated Fat 5g25%
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 30mg10%
- Sodium 90mg4%
- Potassium 40mg2%
- Total Carbohydrate 22g8%
- Dietary Fiber 0g
- Sugars 10g
- Protein 2g4%
- Vitamin A 250 IU
- Vitamin C 0 mg
- Calcium 20 mg
- Iron 1 mg
- Vitamin D 0 IU
- Vitamin E 0 IU
- Vitamin K 0 mcg
- Thiamin 0 mg
- Riboflavin 0 mg
- Niacin 0 mg
- Vitamin B6 0 mg
- Folate 5 mcg
- Vitamin B12 0 mcg
- Biotin 0 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid 0 mg
- Phosphorus 35 mg
- Iodine 0 mcg
- Magnesium 10 mg
- Zinc 0 mg
- Selenium 0 mcg
- Copper 0 mg
- Manganese 0 mg
- Chromium 0 mcg
- Molybdenum 0 mcg
- Chloride 0 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
