There’s something truly magical about baking during the holidays, isn’t there? The aroma of warm spices wafting through the kitchen, the laughter of loved ones gathered around, and the excitement of creating something delightful just fills the heart. That’s why I absolutely adore making soft chewy gingerbread men cookies! Not only are they a festive treat, but they’re also incredibly easy to whip up and even more fun to decorate. Imagine shaping these little guys and giving each one a personality with icing and candies—it’s like a mini art project! Trust me, whether you’re hosting a holiday party or just looking to bring some cheer to a cozy evening at home, these cookies are sure to be a hit. Let’s get started on this delicious adventure!
Ingredients List
Gathering the right ingredients is key to making the best soft chewy gingerbread men cookies! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: This is the base of your cookies, giving them that chewy texture we love.
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger: This spice brings the warm, aromatic flavor that gingerbread is known for.
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon: Adds a sweet and slightly spicy warmth—just a classic combo with ginger!
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves: A little goes a long way with cloves; they add depth and a hint of earthiness.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: This helps the cookies rise and gives them that soft, chewy texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened: Butter makes everything better! It adds richness and helps create that perfect chew.
- 1 cup packed brown sugar: This gives your cookies a lovely molasses flavor and moisture.
- 1/2 cup molasses: The star of the show! It’s what makes gingerbread, well, gingerbread—sweet and slightly tangy.
- 1 large egg: Acts as a binding agent, helping everything stick together.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a lovely sweetness and rounds out the flavors perfectly.
- Royal icing for decoration: The fun part! Use this to add personality to your gingerbread men.
How to Prepare Soft Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
Now, let’s dive into the fun part—making these adorable soft chewy gingerbread men cookies! The process is straightforward, but I promise, the end result is nothing short of delightful. Ready? Let’s go!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Start by mixing your dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of ground ginger, 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This combo smells heavenly!
- In another bowl, beat 3/4 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of packed brown sugar until it’s creamy and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect texture, so don’t rush it!
- Add in 1/2 cup of molasses, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix everything well until it’s combined and smooth.
- Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Don’t overmix! We want those cookies to stay soft and chewy.
- Now, here’s the important part: wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to roll out later.
- When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This is where the magic happens!
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your gingerbread men shapes. You can re-roll the scraps to cut more cookies!
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. They’ll firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they seem a bit underbaked!
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Now, it’s time to get creative with your royal icing!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- These soft chewy gingerbread men cookies are super easy to make, perfect for bakers of all skill levels!
- The dough can be prepared ahead of time, making it a great choice for holiday gatherings.
- Decorating these cookies is a blast—let your creativity shine with icing and candies!
- They fill your home with the warm, inviting scents of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses.
- These cookies are not just delicious but also a fun, interactive activity for family and friends.
Tips for Success
To make sure your soft chewy gingerbread men cookies turn out perfectly every time, here are some of my favorite tips:
- Chill the dough: Don’t skip this step! Chilling the dough not only helps with rolling it out but also enhances the flavors and prevents spreading during baking.
- Use a light touch: When rolling out the dough, try to use minimal flour to prevent it from becoming tough. Also, be gentle when cutting out shapes to keep them intact.
- Watch the baking time: Every oven is different! Start checking your cookies at the 10-minute mark. You want them to be just set in the center for that perfect chewy texture.
- Experiment with decorations: Get creative with your royal icing! You can add sprinkles, candies, or even chocolate chips to give your gingerbread men some personality.
- Store properly: Keep your cookies in an airtight container to maintain their softness and chewiness. They’ll stay fresh for several days!
Nutritional Information
These soft chewy gingerbread men cookies are not only a festive delight but also provide some nutritional value. Each cookie contains approximately 150 calories, 6g of fat, 1g of protein, and 22g of carbohydrates. They also have 10g of sugar and 50mg of sodium per serving. Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary based on your specific ingredients and portion sizes. Enjoy them as a sweet treat during the holidays!
FAQ Section
Got questions about making the best soft chewy gingerbread men cookies? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here are some common queries I often get:
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can! Just note that whole wheat flour will give your cookies a slightly denser texture. I recommend using half all-purpose and half whole wheat for a nice balance.
What if I don’t have molasses?
If you find yourself without molasses, you can substitute it with honey or maple syrup. The flavor will be different, but still delicious!
How do I store the cookies?
Keep your soft chewy gingerbread men cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, they can be frozen for up to three months. Just thaw them in the fridge before enjoying!
Can I decorate the cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake and decorate the cookies a few days in advance. Just make sure to store them in a cool, dry place to keep the icing intact.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
If your cookies are spreading excessively, it could be due to the dough being too warm. Make sure to chill the dough adequately before rolling it out, and also check that you’re using the right measurements for your ingredients.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storing your soft chewy gingerbread men cookies properly is key to keeping them fresh and delicious! Once your cookies have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay soft and tasty for about a week—if they last that long! If you want to keep them for a longer time, you can freeze them. Just wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy a cookie, just let it thaw in the fridge for a few hours or at room temperature for about 30 minutes. No reheating is necessary—just take a bite and enjoy that soft, chewy goodness!
Serving Suggestions
To create the ultimate holiday treat experience, I love serving my soft chewy gingerbread men cookies alongside a warm cup of spiced cider or creamy hot chocolate. The cozy drinks perfectly complement the flavors of the cookies! You can also set up a festive cookie platter with an assortment of holiday treats like peppermint bark, sugar cookies, and chocolate truffles for a delightful dessert spread. And don’t forget to add some fun decorations, like a sprinkle of powdered sugar over everything for that magical winter wonderland look!
Soft Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies: 7 Steps to Bliss
- Total Time: 2 hours 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft chewy gingerbread men cookies are a delightful holiday treat that are easy to make and fun to decorate.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 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
- In a bowl, mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until creamy.
- Add molasses, egg, and vanilla to the butter mixture and mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until combined.
- Chill the dough for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out the dough and cut into gingerbread men shapes.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool.
- Decorate with royal icing.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Decorate as desired with candies and icing.
- Use a rolling pin for even thickness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 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: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: soft chewy gingerbread men cookies