Oh my goodness, there’s nothing quite like the joy of making Gingerbread men during the holiday season! The smell of warm spices fills the air, and the excitement builds as you shape these adorable little cookies. Trust me, whether you’re making them for a festive gathering or just for fun, these spiced cookies shaped like little people are sure to bring smiles all around. I love the way they come to life with a bit of icing and some colorful decorations! Plus, they make for a wonderful activity with family or friends—everyone can join in the fun! So grab your apron and let’s get ready to create some delightful Gingerbread men that will not only taste amazing but also fill your home with holiday cheer!
Ingredients List
Gathering your ingredients is a key step to making the best Gingerbread men! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: This is the base of our cookies, giving them that perfect structure.
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger: The star spice that gives Gingerbread its warm, zesty flavor.
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon: Adds a cozy sweetness that’s essential for holiday vibes.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: This helps the cookies rise and become delightfully soft.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened: Richness is key! Softened butter blends beautifully with the sugars.
- 1 cup brown sugar: For that deep, caramel-like sweetness that makes these cookies irresistible.
- 1/2 cup molasses: This gives our Gingerbread men their iconic flavor and lovely dark color.
- 1 large egg: Helps bind everything together.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Just a splash for an extra layer of flavor.
- Royal icing for decoration: The fun part! Use this to bring your Gingerbread men to life with colorful designs.
How to Prepare Gingerbread Men
Making Gingerbread men is such a joyous process, and I’m here to guide you through each step! Let’s get those adorable cookies ready to spread some holiday cheer!
Preheat and Mix Dry Ingredients
First, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is super important because it ensures our cookies bake evenly. While the oven warms up, grab a large bowl and mix together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Whisk it all together until it’s well blended—this will help distribute the spices evenly throughout the dough!
Prepare Wet Ingredients
Now, let’s tackle the wet ingredients! In another bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until it’s nice and smooth. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the mixture, making your cookies light and fluffy. Then, add in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract, mixing everything until it’s well combined. You’re going to love how it smells!
Combine Ingredients and Chill Dough
Once your wet ingredients are ready, it’s time to combine them with the dry mix. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until it forms a soft dough. Don’t overmix; just blend until the flour disappears! Now, wrap that dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough is key because it helps the cookies keep their shape while baking.
Shape and Bake
After chilling, it’s time to roll out the dough! On a floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use your gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out the shapes, and carefully place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes, keeping an eye on them. They’re done when the edges look firm but the centers are still slightly soft—don’t worry, they’ll firm up as they cool!
Cool and Decorate
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling time is essential for them to set properly. Now comes the fun part! Once they’re completely cool, grab your royal icing and get creative! Decorate your Gingerbread men with all sorts of fun designs; let your imagination run wild!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a quick and easy way to spread holiday cheer—perfect for last-minute baking!
- Making Gingerbread men is a fun activity for the whole family, creating lasting memories together.
- The delicious aroma of spices wafting through your home will instantly put you in the holiday spirit!
- These cookies are not just cute; they’re packed with flavor that everyone will love.
- They also make fantastic gifts! Share your creations with friends and family for a sweet surprise.
Tips for Success
To ensure your Gingerbread men turn out perfectly, here are some of my favorite pro tips! First, be sure to measure your flour accurately—too much can lead to dry cookies. I like to spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off for the best results. Also, don’t skip the chilling step; it’s crucial for keeping those adorable shapes intact during baking. If the dough feels too sticky while rolling, sprinkle a bit of flour on your surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking.
When it comes to baking, keep an eye on your cookies in the oven—they can go from perfect to overbaked in a flash! Lastly, have fun with your royal icing! Experiment with different colors and designs, and don’t be afraid to let the kids get creative too. Happy baking!
Nutritional Information
Now, let’s talk about the nutritional side of things! Keep in mind that nutrition can vary based on your specific ingredients and brands, so these values are just an estimate. When you indulge in one of my delightful Gingerbread men, you’re looking at approximately:
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Remember, these little treats are best enjoyed in moderation, especially alongside all the holiday festivities! They’re a delicious way to celebrate the season while satisfying your sweet tooth!
FAQ Section
I’ve gathered some common questions about making these delightful Gingerbread men, so let’s dive in!
How should I store my Gingerbread men?
Store your Gingerbread men in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh for about a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them! Just wrap each cookie tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They’ll be ready to enjoy for up to 3 months!
Can I substitute ingredients?
Absolutely! If you don’t have brown sugar, you can use white sugar, but your cookies might lack that rich flavor. For a dairy-free option, try using coconut oil instead of butter. And if you’re out of molasses, a mix of honey or maple syrup can work in a pinch, though the flavor will be slightly different.
What’s the best way to decorate them?
Get creative with royal icing! You can use piping bags for detailed designs or simply spread it on for a more rustic look. Add sprinkles, candies, or even edible glitter for some festive flair. Have fun with it—there’s no wrong way to decorate your Gingerbread men!
Print
Gingerbread men: 5 Fun Steps to Holiday Magic
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Gingerbread men are spiced cookies shaped like little people, perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Royal icing for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add molasses, egg, and vanilla to the butter mixture.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut out shapes using a gingerbread man cookie cutter.
- Place on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Let cool and decorate with royal icing.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use various decorations for a fun look.
- Adjust spices to your taste.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Gingerbread men, cookies, holiday baking