Gingerbread Men Cookies
Classic spiced gingerbread cookies in the shape of little men, perfect for decorating during the holidays.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Electric Mixer
- Rolling Pin
- Cookie Cutters
- Baking sheet
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 3 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 tablespoon Ground Ginger
- 1 tablespoon Ground Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cloves
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¾ cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
- ½ cup Brown Sugar packed
- ½ cup Molasses
- 1 Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar (for icing)
- 2 tablespoons Milk (for icing)
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add molasses, egg, and vanilla; mix until combined.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix until a dough forms.
- Divide dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight).
- Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll dough to about ¼ inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Use gingerbread men cookie cutters to cut shapes.
- Place cut cookies on prepared baking sheets, spacing ~1 inch apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are set.
- Let cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- For icing: whisk together powdered sugar and milk (adjust consistency). Pipe icing onto cooled cookies for decorations.
Notes
You can adjust spice levels (ginger, cinnamon, cloves) to your preference. Chill time ensures cleaner cookie shapes. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.