Soft Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe
Introduction
Soft Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are a festive treat perfect for the holidays or any cozy day. With warm spices and a tender texture, these cookies bring classic gingerbread flavors to life. They’re fun to decorate and even better to share.
Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling out the dough)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks)
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons warm water
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Sprinkles of your choice
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Mix well to distribute the spices evenly.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and light brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy. Add the molasses and the egg, then mix until fully incorporated.
- Step 3: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until the dough comes together. Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour to make it easier to roll out.
- Step 4: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use gingerbread man cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on a baking sheet.
- Step 5: Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just set. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Step 6: To make the royal icing, whisk together powdered sugar, warm water, meringue powder, and cream of tartar until smooth and glossy. Use a piping bag to decorate your cooled cookies and add sprinkles as desired.
Tips & Variations
- For extra soft cookies, avoid over-baking and remove them as soon as the edges set.
- Substitute molasses with dark corn syrup for a milder flavor if preferred.
- Use gel food coloring in your icing to create vibrant decorations without altering the texture.
- Chill the cutout cookies for 10 minutes before baking to help them hold their shape better.
Storage
Store the baked and decorated gingerbread men in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them soft, place a slice of bread in the container. If you want to store them longer, freeze the cookies without icing for up to 3 months and decorate after thawing. Reheat slightly before serving if you prefer them warm.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be made up to 2 days in advance and kept chilled in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze the dough tightly wrapped for up to 3 months and thaw before rolling.
How do I prevent the icing from cracking when cookies are stored?
Make sure the royal icing has dried completely before storing the cookies. Store them in a cool, dry place, and avoid stacking decorated cookies directly without separation to prevent cracking.
PrintSoft Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe
These Soft Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are a delightful holiday treat, combining warm spices with a tender, chewy texture. Perfect for decorating with royal icing and sprinkles, they bring festive cheer to any occasion with their classic gingerbread flavor and inviting aroma.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling out the dough)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks)
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg, room temperature
For the Royal Icing
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons warm water
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Sprinkles of your choice
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly mixed. This forms the spiced base for your gingerbread cookie dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and packed light brown sugar together until the mixture becomes fluffy and light. Then, add the molasses and the room temperature egg and mix well to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
- Form Dough and Chill: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms. Once combined, cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for 1 hour to firm up, making it easier to roll and cut.
- Preheat Oven and Shape Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the chilled dough to your desired thickness. Using gingerbread men cookie cutters, cut out shapes and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cut-out cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. They should be set but still soft and chewy. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Prepare Royal Icing: In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, warm water, meringue powder, and cream of tartar. Mix until the icing is smooth and has a pipeable consistency suitable for decorating your cookies.
- Decorate Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled, use the royal icing and sprinkles of your choice to decorate each gingerbread man creatively. Let the icing set completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and to keep the cookies soft and chewy.
- If the dough becomes too hard after chilling, allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and aid in even baking.
- Adjust the thickness of the rolled dough depending on your preference for softer or slightly crisper cookies.
- For best results, use room temperature egg and butter to ensure smooth dough consistency.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to maintain freshness.
Keywords: gingerbread men cookies, soft gingerbread cookies, chewy gingerbread cookies, holiday cookies, Christmas cookies, gingerbread recipe, royal icing decoration
