Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
These soft and chewy gingerbread men cookies are packed with warm spice and molasses-rich flavor, perfect for decorating and gifting during the holidays.
Ingredients
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour plus more for rolling
- 1 ½ tablespoons ground ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 large egg
Royal Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons meringue powder
- 2 to 3 tablespoons warm water
Instructions
- 1. Whisk together flour, spices, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl
- 2. Beat butter, brown sugar, and molasses until fluffy
- 3. Add egg and beat again until smooth
- 4. Slowly mix in dry ingredients until dough forms
- 5. Divide dough, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 1 hour
- 6. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment
- 7. Roll out dough to ¼ inch thick on floured surface
- 8. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters
- 9. Place on baking sheet and bake for 9–10 minutes
- 10. Cool on sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack
- 11. Mix royal icing ingredients until thick and glossy
- 12. Pipe icing onto cooled cookies and decorate as desired
Notes
Use gluten-free all-purpose flour if needed
Add extra cinnamon or nutmeg for deeper spice
Freeze raw dough or baked cookies up to 3 months
Store cookies in airtight container with a slice of bread to keep soft