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Top view of a batch of decorated gingerbread men cookies on a wooden board surrounded by a mistletoe and bells.

Gingerbread Men Cookies

These Gingerbread Men Cookies are easy to make and bake up soft, chewy with slightly crispy edges and full of warm and cozy spices with cinnamon, ginger, and molasses. A family favorite and perfect for holiday gifting, cookie exchanges and Christmas cookie plates!

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword best christmas cookie recipe, best cookie recipe, Best gingerbread cookie recipe, christmas cookie recipe, gingerbread cookie recipe, gingerbread men recipe, holiday cookie recipe, soft gingerbread cookie recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 11 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 31 minutes
Servings 20 3-inch cookies
Calories 246 kcal
Author Kelly

Ingredients

  • 3 cups gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour , measured correctly using the spoon, sweep and level method. You can also use all purpose flour if you're not gluten-free.
  • 3/4 cup coconut sugar , you can also use packed dark brown sugar or preferred granulated brown sugar substitute
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 tbsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 3/4 cup 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter or vegan butter, cut into cubes and softened slightly
  • 3/4 cup unsulphured molasses
  • 2 Tbsp unsweetened almond milk , room temperature. You can use any other milk of choice.

Royal Icing:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar or powdered sugar substitute / sweetener of your choice , sifted
  • 1-1/2 tbsp meringue powder
  • 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2-3 tbsp warm water , less for stiff icing and more for thin icing
  • Gel food coloring optional

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer on low speed fitted with the paddle attachment, stir together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, salt, and baking soda at low speed until combined, about 30 seconds. Add the butter, one piece at a time while mixing at medium-low speed until the mixture is slightly gritty, about 1-2 minutes.
  2. Slowly add in the molasses and milk, and mix until thoroughly combined.
  3. Divide the dough in half and roll the first dough portion out between two large sheets of parchment paper, into a 1/4 inch thickness. Place rolled dough sheet (with parchment papers) on a large baking pan.
  4. Repeat with second half of dough and stack on top of the first sheet.
  5. Place the baking pan in the fridge for 2 hours (or the freezer for 25 minutes).
  6. Preheat your oven to 350 F. Line two large baking pans with parchment paper and set aside.
  7. Remove one dough sheet from the freezer, peel off both parchment papers to ensure the dough is not sticking and lay back on top of the bottom parchment sheet.
  8. Using a cookie cutter (we used a 3-inch), cut into shapes and transfer each cookie to the lined baking pans at least 3/4 inch apart. Repeat with remaining dough. Place the baking sheet back in the freezer for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, remove the other dough sheet and repeat.
  9. Bake (one pan at a time) in preheated oven until the cookies are puffy and just set around the edges, 8 to 11 minutes, rotating pan halfway through. Be careful not to overbake.
  10. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking pan for 2 minutes, then remove with wide metal spatula to wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with any remaining dough.

For the Royal Icing:

  1. Beat all ingredients together until icing forms peaks, about 7 minutes.
  2. Tint with gel food coloring as desired.
  3. Fill piping bags with icing and frost cookies.

Recipe Notes

Storage and Freezer Instructions: Plan Ahead for Festive Baking

Baked cookies:

  • Storage: Keep your Gingerbread Men Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
  • Freezer Friendly: Freeze baked gingerbread cookies for future enjoyment. Simply place the gingerbread cookies on large baking sheets and freeze for 20 minutes, or until hard. Transfer the frozen cookies to an resealable containers or large ziptop bags for up to 3 months.
  • To thaw: Remove frozen baked cookies from the freezer and allow to that at room temperature. Once thawed, you can roll the balls in more powdered sugar, if desired before serving.

Unbaked Cookies:

  • Freeze: You can also freeze the unbaked cookie dough in an air-tight storage container or large resealable freezer bag for up to 3 months in the freezer.

 

 

Adapted from America's Test Kitchen

Nutrition Facts
Gingerbread Men Cookies
Amount Per Serving (1 cookie (with icing))
Calories 246 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Carbohydrates 44g15%
Sugar 29g32%
Protein 2g4%
* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.