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Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.1 from 49 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
  • Yield: 24 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies offer a perfect balance of warm spices and tender texture, making them an ideal festive treat. With a rich blend of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, these cookies are easy to prepare and perfect for holiday decorating fun with family and friends.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

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

Wet Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Decorations

  • Royal icing or store-bought icing
  • Edible decorations (sprinkles, candy, etc.)

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg, and salt to combine all the dry ingredients evenly.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with the brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring good incorporation of air.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until all ingredients are fully combined.
  4. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix to maintain cookie tenderness.
  5. Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This step firms the dough for easier handling and improves cookie texture.
  6. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
  7. Roll and Cut Cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the chilled dough to approximately 1/4-inch thickness. Use gingerbread men cookie cutters to cut shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining dough.
  8. Bake: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Avoid overbaking to keep them chewy.
  9. Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up slightly, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
  10. Decorate: Once fully cooled, decorate the gingerbread men with royal icing or store-bought icing and add edible decorations such as sprinkles or candy. Allow the icing to set fully before serving or storing.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and helps the cookies hold their shape.
  • Use parchment paper to avoid sticking and for easy cleanup.
  • Do not overbake; cookies should look set on edges but remain soft in the center for the best chewy texture.
  • Let the decorated cookies dry completely to prevent smudging icing.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/soft-and-chewy-gingerbread-men-cookies-recipe/