Classic Spiced Gingerbread Men (Printable)
Delight in soft, spiced gingerbread men featuring ginger, cinnamon, and molasses with festive decoration options.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 tablespoon ground ginger
05 - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
→ Wet Ingredients
08 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
10 - 1 large egg
11 - 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses
12 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
→ Decoration
13 - Royal icing (store-bought or homemade)
14 - Assorted candies, sprinkles, or chocolate chips
# How to Make It:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
03 - Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, beating until fully combined.
04 - Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms. Divide dough in half, shape into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
05 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
06 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out shapes using a gingerbread man cookie cutter.
07 - Place cut cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
08 - Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are set. Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Once cooled, decorate with royal icing and assorted candies as desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The delightful blend of spices feels like a cozy secret shared over a warm drink
- These cookies capture the magic of the holidays, perfect for decorating with anyone you love
02 -
- Chilling the dough is essential for clean cookie shapes and prevents spreading
- Adding a pinch of black pepper can amplify the warmth of the spices in an unexpected way
03 -
- Beating the butter and sugar until really fluffy makes all the difference to the cookie&s texture
- Don&t overbake; those last few minutes are critical to keep centers soft and edges crisp