Name: Gingerbread Men Cookies
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 180 min
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 tsp ground ginger; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground cloves; 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened); 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1/2 cup dark unsulphured molasses; 1 tsp vanilla extract

These gingerbread men cookies are a cherished holiday tradition, crafted from scratch with warm spices and rich molasses. They are a festive and fun holiday baking project, perfect for creating Christmas treats with the whole family. Their soft, spiced flavor and classic charm make them an essential part of any cookie platter.

Every December, my kitchen fills with the comforting aroma of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses as I bake batches of these holiday cookies. This ritual marks the true start of the season for me, a sensory tradition handed down through generations. I love setting out a platter of these cheerful figures alongside other festive bakes like my peanut butter cookie and reindeer brownie bites for guests. They pair wonderfully with a cup of spiced tea, creating a moment of pure winter bliss.

Four Reasons These Gingerbread Men Shine

Authentic Homemade Flavor: The blend of warm spices and dark molasses creates a deeply satisfying, old-fashioned taste.
Fun Family Activity: Rolling and cutting the dough is a delightful holiday baking project for all ages.
Perfect Make-Ahead Dough: Chilling the dough overnight makes it easy to handle and intensifies the flavors.
Iconic Christmas Treat: These classic cookies are a beloved addition to any holiday cookie exchange or gift box.

What You’ll Need for Perfect Gingerbread Men

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for your cookies to hold their shape.
Baking soda: Acts as the leavening agent for a slight rise.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the spice flavors.
Ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg: This quintessential spice blend gives gingerbread its warm, festive character.
Unsalted butter, softened: Creates a tender crumb and rich flavor; unsalted allows you to control the salt level.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps the cookies brown nicely.
Large egg: Binds the ingredients together for a cohesive dough.
Dark unsulphured molasses: The star ingredient that provides deep color, moisture, and that distinctive gingerbread taste.
Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle, warm background note that complements the spices.

Gingerbread Men Cookies

Learn how to make classic gingerbread men cookies with this easy recipe. Soft, spiced cookies perfect for Christmas baking and holiday traditions.

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Prep Time 50

Cook Time 10

Total Time 3

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 24 cookies

Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

medium bowl
large mixing bowl
electric mixer
whisk
spatula
plastic wrap
oven
baking sheets
parchment paper
Rolling Pin
gingerbread man cookie cutter
wire rack
knife
cutting board
measuring cups
measuring spoons

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup dark unsulphured molasses
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground nutmeg until thoroughly combined. Set this dry ingredient mixture aside.
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the large egg, dark unsulphured molasses, and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Beat on medium speed until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Gradually add the reserved dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined and a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can make the cookies tough.
Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a flattened disk, then wrap each disk tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow it to firm up and flavors to meld, which is crucial for easy rolling.
When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper. Lightly flour a clean work surface and a rolling pin.
Unwrap one disk of chilled dough and roll it out to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Carefully transfer the cut cookies to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie. Re-roll any dough scraps as needed.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers appear set. The exact time will depend on the size of your cookies and your oven. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Prep in 50 minutes. Dough must be chilled for at least 2 hours for easy rolling.

Keyword Christmas, cookies, gingerbread, holiday baking

Creative Gingerbread Men Variations

Sparkling Sugar Sprinkle: Before baking, brush cookies with a little milk and sprinkle with coarse sugar for a festive sparkle.
Lemon Zest Twist: Add the zest of one lemon to the dough for a bright, citrusy note that cuts through the richness.
Spicy Kick: Add an extra half teaspoon of ginger and a pinch of black pepper for a more robust, spicy flavor.

My Pro Tips for Perfect Gingerbread

Chill the Dough Thoroughly: This is non-negotiable for easy rolling and to prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
Roll Dough Evenly: Aim for a consistent 1/4-inch thickness so all your gingerbread men bake at the same rate.
Don’t Overbake: The cookies are done when the edges are just firm; they will continue to set as they cool on the sheet.
Cool Completely Before Decorating: If you plan to use royal icing, ensure the cookies are fully cool to prevent the icing from melting. For more decorating ideas, check out my holiday treat ideas.

How to Store Your Gingerbread Cookies

Store: Keep baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature; they will stay fresh and soft for up to 1 week.
Freeze: Freeze undecorated cookies in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag; they will keep for up to 3 months.
Reheat: For a fresh-from-the-oven taste, warm frozen cookies on a baking sheet at 300°F for about 5 minutes.
Make-Ahead Tip: The dough can be made and refrigerated up to 3 days in advance, or frozen for up to 1 month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my gingerbread men cookies hard?

Hard cookies are often a result of overbaking or using too much flour. Be sure to measure your flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off. Also, pull the cookies from the oven as soon as the edges are set, as they firm up while cooling.

Can I make gingerbread men without molasses?

Molasses is essential for the classic flavor and chewy texture. While you could use dark corn syrup or maple syrup as a substitute, the flavor and color will be noticeably different and less authentic.

How long should you chill gingerbread cookie dough?

I recommend chilling the dough for at least 2 hours, but overnight is ideal. This allows the flour to fully hydrate, the flavors to meld, and the butter to firm up, which makes rolling much easier and prevents spreading.

Can you freeze gingerbread men cookie dough?

Absolutely. Wrap the dough disks tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling and baking. This is a great way to get a head start on your Christmas cookies.

More Holiday Cookies to Bake

Bake These Gingerbread Men Today

With their warm spice aroma and delightful charm, these gingerbread men cookies are more than a treat, they are a holiday memory in the making. Their simple, from-scratch method yields such rewarding results. I hope this recipe becomes a cherished part of your family’s tradition, just as it is in mine.

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