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Classic Gingerbread Men

Delightful gingerbread cookies filled with the warmth of holiday spices, perfect for festive gatherings and decorating.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour A must for that perfect cookie structure.
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda Helps the cookies puff up just right.
  • 1/4 tsp salt Balances out the sweetness beautifully.
  • 1 tbsp ground ginger Adds that signature ginger flavor.
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon Offers warmth and sweetness.
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves Provides a spicy kick to the mix.
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg Complements the other spices perfectly.
Wet Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened A rich base for a tender cookie.
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar Adds moisture and a deep caramel flavor.
  • 1 large egg Binds everything together.
  • 2/3 cup molasses Infuses each bite with a robust sweetness.
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract Elevates the flavor profile.
Decorations
  • to taste Royal icing and candy decorations For the finishing touches that make your gingerbread men shine.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and nutmeg.
  2. In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the egg, then add the molasses and vanilla extract, stirring until well combined.
  4. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a thick dough forms.
  5. Divide the dough into two disks, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Baking
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Roll the chilled dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
  3. Use cookie cutters to cut out gingerbread men shapes and place them on lined baking sheets.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are firm.
  5. Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
Decoration
  1. Once cool, decorate the cookies with royal icing and candy.

Notes

To elevate your Classic Gingerbread Men, consider these helpful tips: Substitute up to 1 cup of all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nutty flavor. Don’t skip chilling the dough and experiment with additional spices like cardamom or allspice.