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To make soft gingerbread man cookies, you need: - 3 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 2 teaspoons ground ginger - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup packed brown sugar - 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract These ingredients work together to create a tasty and soft cookie. The flour gives structure, while the butter adds richness. The spices bring warmth, and the molasses offers a deep, sweet flavor. For decorating, you can use: - 1/2 cup royal icing - Assorted decorative sprinkles Decorating is fun! Royal icing helps the sprinkles stick. You can use many colors and shapes to make your cookies look festive and joyful. With these ingredients, you can create a batch of delightful gingerbread men. Enjoy the process and get creative! {{ingredient_image_2}} 1. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is key for even baking. 2. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This helps prevent the cookies from sticking. 1. In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of packed brown sugar. Mix until creamy and smooth. This forms a light mixture. 2. Add 1/2 cup of unsulfured molasses, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Keep mixing until everything blends well. 1. Gradually fold in the dry ingredient mixture into the wet mixture. Mix at low speed until the dough comes together. It should be shiny and slightly sticky. 2. Divide the dough into two equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disc and wrap tightly in plastic. Chill for at least 1 hour. This makes the dough easier to roll. 1. After chilling, dust a clean surface with flour. Roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4-inch thick. Use gingerbread man-shaped cutters to create fun shapes. 2. Place the cutouts onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes. The edges should be firm, but the centers will remain soft. 3. Cool the cookies on the sheets for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This keeps them from getting soggy. Chilling the dough is key for soft gingerbread man cookies. It firms up the dough and makes it easier to roll. Without chilling, your cookies may spread too much while baking. Aim to chill your dough for at least one hour. Rolling out the dough: When rolling, dust your surface with flour. This prevents sticking. Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thick. If it feels too sticky, add a little more flour. Use cookie cutters quickly before the dough warms up. Royal icing is a fun way to decorate. You can pipe it onto the cookies for details like eyes and buttons. Mix in food coloring to create vibrant designs. Use a toothpick to draw fine lines or patterns. For sprinkles, go wild! Use holiday-themed colors like red and green. You can also add edible glitter for a festive touch. Try using mini chocolate chips for buttons or small candies for added flair. Over-mixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until the dry and wet ingredients come together. When you roll the dough, be gentle. Watch the baking time carefully. Underbaking leaves cookies too soft. They should have firm edges and soft centers. If you overbake, the cookies become hard. Check them at the lower end of the baking time, around 8 minutes. Pro Tips Chill the Dough: Refrigerating the dough for at least an hour not only makes it easier to roll but also helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking. Perfect Thickness: Roll the dough to a uniform thickness of 1/4 inch to ensure even baking and a chewy texture throughout the cookies. Check for Doneness: Look for firm edges and soft centers when baking; the cookies will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet. Decorating Tips: Use a piping bag for precise details when decorating with royal icing, and allow ample time for the icing to set before storing or serving. {{image_4}} You can change the flavor of your gingerbread cookies. Adding citrus zest gives a bright taste. Try using lemon or orange zest. This adds a fresh twist. You can also mix in spices like cardamom or allspice. These spices add warmth and depth. Experiment with different amounts to find your favorite blend. If you need gluten-free cookies, use gluten-free flour. Many brands work well in this recipe. This way, everyone can enjoy them. For vegan cookies, swap the butter with coconut oil. Use a flax egg instead of a regular egg. Mix one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes. This keeps the dough binding nicely. Decorating gingerbread men can be so much fun! You can create holiday themes, like Santa or snowmen. Use royal icing for crisp lines. Add colorful sprinkles to make them pop. For other seasons, think about flowers for spring or leaves for fall. Get creative and let your imagination run wild! To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps prevent them from drying out. You can stack the cookies with parchment paper in between each layer. This method keeps them from sticking together. For the best results, keep the container at room temperature. Avoid storing cookies in the fridge, as this can make them hard. If you want to keep them for longer, consider freezing. You can freeze both unbaked and baked cookies. To freeze unbaked cookies, roll the dough and cut out shapes. Place the cut cookies on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about 30 minutes until firm. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag. This method helps keep their shape. For baked cookies, wait until they are cool. Then, layer them in an airtight container with parchment paper. Seal the container tightly. To thaw, leave the cookies at room temperature for a few hours. Reheat baked cookies in the oven for a few minutes for a warm treat. To make your gingerbread cookies softer, you can use a few simple methods. - Chill the dough: This helps the cookies retain moisture. - Use brown sugar: It adds moisture and keeps cookies soft. - Add an extra egg yolk: This makes the dough richer and softer. You can also adjust your baking time. Bake them for a little less time. Check them at 8 minutes. They should look soft in the center. Yes, you can use honey instead of molasses, but it will change the flavor. Honey is sweeter and has a different taste. If you switch to honey, reduce the sugar in your recipe a bit. Keep in mind that honey will make the cookies slightly softer. The spice flavors may not be as strong, so you might want to add a little more ginger or cinnamon to balance it out. Gingerbread cookies last about a week at room temperature. Store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze them. Baked cookies freeze well for up to three months. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before freezing. Soft gingerbread man cookies need simple ingredients and careful steps. Focus on key elements like flour, spices, and sweeteners for that perfect taste. Remember to chill the dough and avoid common pitfalls. You can also try fun variations and creative decorations to make your cookies unique. Store them properly to keep them fresh. With this guide, you’re ready to bake delicious cookies that bring joy to any occasion. Enjoy each step of the process and have fun creating your gingerbread masterpiece!

Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies

Deliciously soft and chewy gingerbread cookies shaped like festive men, perfect for holiday celebrations.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 cups unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 0.5 cups unsulfured molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 0.5 cups royal icing (for decorative finishing)
  • Assorted decorative sprinkles (optional for embellishment)

Instructions
 

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is warming, line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well mixed, then set the bowl aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and packed brown sugar together. Continue mixing until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth, forming a light mixture.
  • Add the unsulfured molasses, large egg, and pure vanilla extract to the creamed butter-sugar mixture. Beat until all ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture is homogeneous.
  • Gradually fold in the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing at low speed. Stop mixing once the dough starts to come together; it should be shiny yet slightly sticky to the touch.
  • Divide the dough into two equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disc shape, tightly wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This helps the dough firm up for easier rolling.
  • After chilling, dust a clean surface with flour and roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use gingerbread man-shaped cookie cutters to create playful shapes, and carefully place them onto the prepared baking sheets.
  • Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. They should have firm edges and soft centers. After baking, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Once the cookies are completely cool, unleash your creativity by decorating them with royal icing and adding sprinkles, if desired. Let the icing set before serving for best results.

Notes

For an enchanting display, arrange the decorated gingerbread men on a festive platter or a charming decorative cooling rack.
Keyword cookies, gingerbread, holiday