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    Home » Gingerbread Cookies (Gingerbread Men)

    Gingerbread Cookies (Gingerbread Men)

    Published: Nov 29, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This gingerbread cookie recipe makes soft & chewy, perfectly spiced, molasses-sweetened holiday cookies that are everyone's favorite. This gingerbread man recipe rolls well into shapes and the glaze hardens with a beautiful shine so they can be packaged and given as gifts.

    7 Gingerbread Man Cookies on a plate.

    I can't think of a cookie that encompasses all that is wonderful about the holidays more than gingerbread cookies. The warm spices and rich molasses flavor of these festive cookies makes them irresistible.

    I adapted my favorite soft gingerbread cookie recipe (that is to die for by the way), to create this perfect gingerbread man recipe.

    These gingerbread men are soft in the center and crispy on the outside. They roll beautifully into any shape, and are fun to decorate with an easy glaze that hardens with a beautiful shine.

    a gingerbread man cookie standing up leaning against a bottle of milk

    Gingerbread Cookies: Ingredients & Substitutions

    Let's discuss the ingredients in this gingerbread cookie recipe, as well as possible substitutions.

    overhead photo of the ingredients in this Gingerbread Cookie recipe
    • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter and vegan butter work well in this recipe too.
    • Egg. Make sure the egg is room temperature! I have not made this recipe with an egg substitute, so if you do let me know in the comments below.
    • Light brown sugar. If you want to add to the molasses taste then you can use dark brown sugar.
    • Molasses. I recommend using unsulphured molasses to make these gingerbread man cookies. 
    • Vanilla extract. Please only use pure vanilla extract (not imitation) for the best taste!
    • All-purpose flour. I bake with unbleached, purpose flour. You can use an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free. 
    • Spices (ginger, cinnamon & cloves). The quality and freshness of the spices you use will matter in the final outcome of these soft gingerbread cookies. I believe I have worked out the perfect ratio of sweet and spicy, but you can adjust them to your liking if necessary. 
    • Sea Salt. I only ever bake with pure, fine sea salt. If you are using iodized salt I recommend decreasing the amount of salt by half. 
    • Whole milk. For the glaze you can use 2% milk, half and half or heavy cream instead of whole milk.
    5 Gingerbread Cookies decorated with glaze

    How to make gingerbread man cookies

    Follow along with me as I discuss how to make gingerbread cookies step-by-step, and don't forget to watch the video!

    Make the dough

    Begin this recipe by making the gingerbread cookie dough. First, combine the dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl, and set them aside to use later.

    two photos showing How to Make Gingerbread Cookies - combining the dry ingredients

    In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a handheld mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar for 1 minute, until the mixture is light and fluffy.

    two photos showing How to Make Gingerbread Cookies - creaming together butter and brown sugar

    Next, add the molasses, egg and vanilla and beat for 60-90 seconds or until the mixture is smooth and light-brown.

    two photos showing How to Make Gingerbread Cookies - adding molasses and egg

    Then, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat on low speed until combined.

    two photos showing How to Make Gingerbread Cookies - combining wet and dry ingredients

    Chill the dough

    The dough will be soft, but should not be too sticky. It has to be chilled in order to be rolled into shapes. It will firm up as it chills.

    To do this, lay out a rectangle of plastic wrap, put the dough on top and form it into a thick, flat disc. Wrap it tightly with the plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight. I usually make the dough the day before I'd like to bake and decorate the gingerbread cookies so it has plenty of time to chill.

    How to Make Gingerbread Men - the dough wrapped in plastic wrap to be chilled

    Roll dough & cut out shapes

    After the dough has chilled, preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line 3 large baking sheets with parchment paper, then set them aside.

    On a floured work surface, roll out dough until it’s ½ inch thick (you want them to be thick so they stay soft). Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter and cut into men shape (or whatever shape you’d prefer: stars, stockings, etc.).

    Re-form the dough scraps into a ball, roll it out and repeat.

    two photos showing How to Make Gingerbread Men - rolling out and cutting the dough

    Bake & Cool

    Place the cut-out gingerbread cookies on the prepared cookie sheets 1” apart.

    Bake for 7-8 minutes in preheated oven until tops look just set (I bake for 7 minutes – be very careful not to over bake or they will be crispy and not soft).

    Let the gingerbread cookies sit on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

    two photos showing How to Make Gingerbread Men - cookies on baking sheet before and after baking

    Make the glaze & decorate

    To make the glaze, whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl. Then transfer it to a piping bag and decorate the cooled gingerbread cookies however you'd like. Then enjoy!

    Let the glaze harden at room temperature for about 1 hour. You can put the gingerbread man cookies in the fridge or outside on a cold day to make the glaze harden faster.

    two photos showing How to Make Gingerbread Men - making the glaze and decorated gingerbread men

    Store/freeze gingerbread cookies

    Store these gingerbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. I recommend putting a sheet of wax paper between the layers of cookies.

    5 Gingerbread men Cookies decorated with glaze

    How to freeze gingerbread cookie dough

    You can make the dough for these gingerbread cookies and freeze it to bake later, here's how: 

    1. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
    2. Roll out the dough and cut it into your desired shapes.
    3. Place the unbaked shapes onto the prepared baking sheet and freeze.
    4. Once frozen, transfer the gingerbread cookie dough to an airtight container (glass Tupperware or ziplock bag) until you'd like to bake it.
    5. To bake: remove frozen cookie dough balls and set them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let thaw at room temperature, and bake according to the recipe instructions once the cookie dough is no longer frozen. 
    a gingerbread man cookie standing up leaning against a bottle of milk with his arm bitten off

    Recipe FAQs

    Should gingerbread cookies be hard or soft?

    These gingerbread cookies are soft and chewy. If you'd prefer harder cookies (to use as ornaments or decorations) bake for 10 minutes instead of 7.

    What kind of molasses do you use for gingerbread cookies?

    I recommend using a dark, unsulphured molasses.

    How long do gingerbread cookies last? 

    These gingerbread man cookies last for 5 days at room temperature, 1 week in the refrigerator, and up to 2 months in the freezer (baked), if stored properly in an airtight container or plastic bag. 

    Can I double this recipe?

    Yes, you can easily double this recipe to make more cookies.

    7 Gingerbread Cookies on a plate decorated with glaze

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Gingerbread Cookies (Gingerbread Man Recipe)

    Laura
    This gingerbread cookie recipe makes soft & chewy, perfectly spiced, molasses-sweetened holiday cookies that are everyone's favorite. This gingerbread man recipe rolls well into shapes and the glaze hardens with a beautiful shine so they can be packaged and given as gifts.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 7 mins
    Chilling 4 hrs
    Total Time 4 hrs 20 mins
    Course cookies, Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 30 3" Gingerbread Men
    Calories 123 kcal

    Equipment

    • KitchenAid Mixer
    • hand mixer
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula
    • baking sheet
    • Parchment Paper
    • silicone baking mat

    Ingredients
     
     

    Gingerbread Cookies:

    • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
    • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ½ tsp sea salt
    • ½ cup salted butter softened
    • ½ cup light brown sugar packed
    • ½ cup molasses
    • 1 large egg room temperature
    • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

    Powdered sugar glaze:

    • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 tablespoons whole milk

    Instructions
     

    • In a small bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder cinnamon, ginger, cloves nutmeg and sea salt. Set aside.
    • In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a handheld mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar for 1 minute, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
    • Add molasses, egg and vanilla and beat for 60-90 seconds or until the mixture is smooth and light-brown.
    • Add dry ingredients and beat on low speed until combined.
    • Lay out a rectangle of plastic wrap, put the dough on top and form it into a thick, flat disc. Wrap it tightly with the plastic wrap. Chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
    • After the dough has chilled, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    • Line 3 large baking sheets with parchment paper, set aside.
    • On a floured work surface, roll out dough until it’s ½ inch thick (you want them to be thick so they stay soft). Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter and cut the dough into men shapes (or whatever shape you’d prefer: stars, stockings, etc.)
    • Place them on the prepared cookie sheet 1” apart.
    • Re-form the dough scraps into a ball, roll it out and repeat.
    • Bake for 7-8 minutes in preheated oven until tops look just set (I bake for 7 minutes – be very careful not to overbake).
    • Let the gingerbread cookies sit on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Make the glaze

    • In small bowl, combine glaze ingredients. Stir until smooth.
    • Transfer to a piping bag.
    • Decorate the cooled cookies as desired.
    • Let sit at room temperature until glaze is hardened.

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter and vegan butter work well in this recipe too.
    • Egg. Make sure the egg is room temperature! I have not made this recipe with an egg substitute, so if you do let me know in the comments below.
    • Light brown sugar. If you want to add to the molasses taste then you can use dark brown sugar.
    • Molasses. I recommend using unsulphured molasses to make these gingerbread man cookies. 
    • Vanilla extract. Please only use pure vanilla extract (not imitation) for the best taste!
    • All-purpose flour. I bake with unbleached, purpose flour. You can use an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free. 
    • Spices (ginger, cinnamon & cloves). The quality and freshness of the spices you use will matter in the final outcome of these soft gingerbread cookies. I believe I have worked out the perfect ratio of sweet and spicy, but you can adjust them to your liking if necessary. 
    • Sea Salt. I only ever bake with pure, fine sea salt. If you are using iodized salt I recommend decreasing the amount of salt by half. 
    • Whole milk. For the glaze you can use 2% milk, half and half or heavy cream instead of whole milk.

    Store/freeze baked cookies

    Store these gingerbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. I recommend putting a sheet of wax paper between the layers of cookies.

    How to freeze gingerbread cookie dough

    You can make the dough for these gingerbread cookies and freeze it to bake later, here's how: 
    1. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
    2. Roll out the dough and cut it into your desired shapes.
    3. Place the unbaked shapes onto the prepared baking sheet and freeze.
    4. Once frozen, transfer the gingerbread cookie dough to an airtight container (glass Tupperware or ziplock bag) until you'd like to bake it.
    5. To bake: remove frozen cookie dough balls and set them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let thaw at room temperature, and bake according to the recipe instructions once the cookie dough is no longer frozen. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookieCalories: 123kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 1gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 90mgPotassium: 109mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 105IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brenda

      December 03, 2022 at 6:34 pm

      5 stars
      These gingerbread cookies are the best cookies! Easy to follow instructions as well. Thanks for sharing 😋

      Reply
      • Laura

        December 04, 2022 at 6:49 am

        Thank you Brenda! I'm so glad you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

        Reply
    2. Herma

      July 19, 2022 at 7:25 am

      5 stars
      Hi Laura, thank you for such a lovely recipe😋
      Herma

      Reply
    3. mynestisbest7

      December 18, 2021 at 6:03 am

      5 stars
      THE best gingerbread man cookies! ALL of my kids like these... soft, chewey and not overpowering flavor, the perfect recipe!

      Reply

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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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