Alright, so you’re thinking about baking some gingerbread man cookies, huh? These little guys aren’t just cute—they’re a total vibe for the holiday season or really anytime you wanna add some spice to your snack game.
There’s something about that warm ginger and molasses combo that just feels like a cozy hug from the inside. Plus, making them shaped like tiny people is just a foolproof way to add a bit of fun in the kitchen. Got the cookie cutters? Let’s go!
Gina’s Recipe Rundown:
Texture: These Gingerbread Man Cookies are soft in the center with crisp edges—perfect for decorating or enjoying plain during the holiday season.
Taste: Full of warm ginger, cinnamon, and molasses, these Gingerbread Man Cookies are rich, flavorful, and a festive holiday treat everyone loves.
Ease: These Gingerbread Man Cookies are easy to make with simple ingredients and step-by-step tips for perfect cut-outs ready to decorate and enjoy.
Why I love it: I love these Gingerbread Man Cookies because they’re soft, flavorful, and fun to decorate—bringing holiday cheer to every kitchen and every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Classic holiday flavors in every bite. This recipe nails the perfect balance of spicy ginger, sweet molasses, and a hint of cinnamon that melts in your mouth without overpowering. Each cookie delivers that nostalgic Christmas feel you didn’t realize you were missing until now.
Easy enough for beginners, but still impressive. Even if you’ve never made cookies shaped like people before, the dough is super manageable and rolls out nicely. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a baking star without sweating over a complicated process.
Customizable and fun for all ages. You can totally get creative with decorating—glaze, sprinkles, icing, you name it. Plus, baking gingerbread men is a perfect activity to get the whole family involved, especially the little ones who love playing with the icing and candy buttons.
Ingredient Notes
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and ensures the cookies hold their shape.
- Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a touch of moisture for soft, chewy cookies.
- Butter: Gives rich flavor and tender texture.
- Molasses: Adds deep, classic gingerbread flavor and color.
- Egg: Binds the dough and contributes to a soft texture.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and stay tender.
- Ground ginger: Gives that warm, signature gingerbread spice.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds sweet, aromatic spice.
- Ground cloves: Offers a pungent, warm depth of flavor.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds subtle, nutty spice to round out the flavor.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
Kitchen Equipment
- Rolling Pin
- Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutters
- Mixing Bowls
- Stand Mixer with the paddle attachment (or hand mixer)
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Baking Sheets / Cookie Sheet
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats
- Cooling Rack
How to Make Gingerbread Man Cookies
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the molasses and egg until everything is well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half, flatten each into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thick.
- Use cookie cutters to cut your shapes and place them about 1 inch apart on the baking sheets.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are firm.
- Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Variations & Substitutions
- Add Citrus Zest: For a fresh twist, add a teaspoon of orange or lemon zest to the dough. It gives a bright, subtle zing that plays nicely with the spices.
- Swap Molasses for Honey: Use honey instead of molasses for a milder, sweeter cookie. It changes the flavor profile a bit but keeps things moist.
- Gluten-Free Version: Try the recipe with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to add a touch more binder, like xanthan gum, to help with texture.
- Vegan Option: Replace butter with coconut oil and the egg with a flax egg or chia egg. The flavor stays great, just a bit different texture.
- Spiced Icing: Mix ground cinnamon or nutmeg into your royal icing for a subtle spice hit that ties decorations back into the cookie flavor.
Flavor Boosters
Brown Butter
Swap regular butter for browned butter to add a deep, nutty flavor to the cookie dough. It’s a small upgrade that makes a big impact.
Extra Ginger Punch
Double the ground ginger for those who really want the spicy kick. It turns your classic gingerbread man into a bold flavor adventurer.
Vanilla Extract
Add a splash of vanilla to deepen the cookie’s sweetness and round out the spice notes with a warm background.
Sea Salt Sprinkle
A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on the cookies before baking brings out all the sweet and spicy flavors in a surprisingly delicious way.
Candied Ginger Pieces
Toss in some finely chopped candied ginger into the dough for chewy, extra spicy bursts that surprise with every bite.
Storage
Store your gingerbread men in an airtight container at room temperature. Adding a slightly dampened slice of bread helps keep them soft and fresh for up to a week.
Freezing – You can freeze baked gingerbread cookies by placing them in an airtight container or freezer bag with parchment between layers. They keep best for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature and decorate fresh if you want.
Decorate with THIS Royal Icing Recipe!
Expert Tips
- Chill the dough thoroughly: Before rolling out your dough, chill it for at least an hour or overnight. This makes it easier to handle and helps the cookies keep their shape better when baking.
- Roll evenly: Use rolling pin guides or two sticks to keep your dough thickness uniform. This ensures even baking, so you don’t get crispy edges and uncooked middles.
- Don’t overbake: Keep a close eye on your cookies in the last few minutes of baking. They should be firm to the touch but still a little soft in the center to avoid that dry, crumbly texture.
- Use parchment or silicone mats: Line your baking sheets to prevent sticking and help with easy cleanup. Plus, it means your gingerbread men come off the tray in one piece, ready for decorating.
- Decorate once cooled: Let your cookies cool completely before icing to avoid messy melting. Trust me, premature decorating turns those perfect designs into sad, runny faces.
- Experiment with shapes: Don’t feel limited to just gingerbread men—cookie cutters of all shapes make the dough just as fun to work with.
- Store in an airtight container: Keep your gingerbread cookies fresh by storing them airtight, with a slice of bread to keep them soft longer. It sounds weird, but it works.
What To Serve With Gingerbread Man Cookies
Hot Cocoa: Nothing pairs better than a warm cup of cocoa—bonus points if you throw in some marshmallows or a cinnamon stick.
Spiced Tea: A chai or cinnamon-spiced tea complements the gingerbread spices and keeps the cozy vibes flowing.
Vanilla Ice Cream: For an indulgent treat, serve the cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast between warm spices and cool creaminess is magic.
Apple Slices with Nut Butter: Keep it light and fresh with crisp apples and a smear of your favorite nut butter for dipping alongside your cookies.
Mulled Wine or Cider: For the grown-ups, a glass of mulled wine or spiced apple cider enhances the holiday spirit and tastes.
Troubleshooting
- Cookies Spread Too Much – Make sure your dough is cold before baking. If it’s too warm, cookies can spread and lose their shape. Also, avoid using too much baking soda or powder.
- Cookies Are Too Hard – Don’t overbake. Taking them out just before they look fully done ensures they stay soft inside. Also, check your oven temperature with an oven thermometer—it might be on the higher side.
- Cracks in the Dough – If the dough is too dry, add a tablespoon of milk or water to help it come together more smoothly. Chilling the dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap can also fix cracking.
- Decorations Smudge or Run – Let cookies cool completely before decorating, and use thicker icing that’s not too runny. If your icing is too thin, it will slide off or blend into the cookie surface.
- Ginger Flavor Too Mild – Try using freshly ground ginger instead of pre-ground if possible, and increase the amount slightly. Molasses quality can also affect the depth of flavor, so don’t rely on substitutes too often.
Ways To Use Leftovers
Cookie Crumble Topping – Crumble leftover cookies over vanilla ice cream or yogurt for a crunchy, spiced topping.
Gingerbread Trifle – Layer chunks of cookies with whipped cream and fruit in a glass for a simple, festive trifle.
Spiced Biscuit Milk – Soak crumbled cookies in your milk of choice for a few minutes, then sip or use it to spice up your morning cereal.
Holiday Gift Jars – Package leftover cookies in decorated jars with some ribbon for a last-minute thoughtful gift.
Cookie Butter – Blend crushed gingerbread cookies with a little cream cheese and brown sugar for a homemade cookie butter spread.
FAQ’s
Can I use this dough for gingerbread houses?
You can, but you might want a slightly thicker dough recipe designed to hold up better to building. This recipe is softer and best for cookies.
How long does the dough keep in the fridge?
You can store the dough wrapped in plastic for up to 3 days in the fridge. Let it warm slightly before rolling out.
Can I freeze the dough instead of baked cookies?
Yes, the dough freezes really well. Wrap it tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling and baking.
What’s the best way to soften hardened cookies?
Pop them in the microwave with a damp paper towel for 10-15 seconds or store with an apple slice to regain softness.
Is it okay to add extra spices or nuts to the dough?
Totally. Adding chopped nuts or extra spices can add a personalized touch. Just be mindful not to overdo it and change the dough texture too much.
DON’T MISS THESE HOLIDAY E-BOOKS!
If you love this gingerbread recipe, you’re going to love these other gingerbread recipes, too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
More Great Cutout Cookie Recipes
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Gingerbread Man Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar – packed
- ½ cup butter softened – unsalted
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 egg large
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Cream the butter and brown sugar together in a large bowl until fluffy.
- Beat in molasses and egg until well combined.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface until it is about 1/4-inch thick.
- Cut with cookie cutters and place on the prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are firm.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Created by Gina Kleinworth
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