Classic spiced gingerbread men (Print View)

Spiced gingerbread men with crisp edges and soft centers, ideal for holiday enjoyment and decorating.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour (375 g)
02 - 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1 tablespoon ground ginger
05 - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

09 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (170 g)
10 - 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar (150 g)
11 - 1 large egg
12 - 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses (120 ml)
13 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

→ For Decorating

14 - Royal icing or simple icing sugar glaze
15 - Decorative candies or sprinkles (optional)

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
02 - Beat softened butter and dark brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
03 - Add egg, molasses, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add dry mixture to wet ingredients, stirring on low speed until a uniform dough forms.
05 - Divide dough in half, shape each into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - Lightly flour a surface and roll chilled dough to 1/4-inch (6 mm) thickness.
08 - Use gingerbread men cookie cutters to cut shapes; transfer cookies to baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart.
09 - Bake cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are firm and centers set; baking on lower end yields softer texture.
10 - Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
11 - Once cooled, decorate with royal icing or glaze and optional candies.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • This recipe delivers cookies that are crisp on the edges yet wonderfully soft inside, making each bite satisfying and nostalgic
  • The classic spice mix creates a cozy aroma that fills your home and heart alike
02 -
  • Chilling the dough for at least an hour is essential—it makes the dough easier to handle and intensifies the flavors
  • Rolling the dough evenly ensures your cookies bake uniformly; too thin and they’ll be crunchy, too thick and they may stay doughy
03 -
  • Rolling dough between two sheets of parchment paper helps you avoid extra flour and keeps the texture just right
  • Using a mix of spices over just ginger adds depth that makes these cookies truly memorable

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