gingerbread men cookies on a wood table surface that is lightly dusted with flour
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Festive Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe That Holds Its Shape

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There’s something about gingerbread men cookies that instantly evokes the spirit of the holidays. The warm, spiced aroma that fills the kitchen as they bake, the fun of decorating each one with different expressions and outfits, and, of course, the irresistible taste that brings you back to childhood memories of festive gatherings.

For me, gingerbread men are a must-bake every holiday season, and I’ve got just the recipe for a batch of cookies that are not only delicious but perfect for holding their shape during baking.

This gingerbread dough is a little different than some of the softer cookie doughs you might be familiar with. It’s thick, spicy, and holds its form exceptionally well. That means your gingerbread men come out looking like, well, gingerbread men!

No sad, misshapen cookies here. Whether you’re baking these for a family get-together, to give as gifts, or as a fun activity to do with the kids, this recipe will help you create cookies that taste as good as they look.

a plate full of gingerbread men cookies with christmas garland, tree and fireplace in the background
closeup of gingerbread men cookies on a floured wooden table with cookie cutters in the background
a pile of gingerbread men cookies on a wood platter with a cup of cocoa and holiday decor in the background
gingerbread men cookies cooling on a wire rack on a kitchen table, rustic atmosphere

Tips for Making Great Gingerbread Cookies

Making gingerbread men cookies can be a lot of fun, but there are a few tricks that will help ensure your cookies come out just right every time. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or this is your first time making gingerbread men, these tips will help you get the most out of your dough and create perfectly spiced, festive cookies.

1. Chill the Dough Before Rolling After mixing the dough, it’s important to let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour before you start rolling it out. This firms up the dough, making it easier to roll and cut into shapes. Chilling also helps the cookies hold their shape during baking, preventing them from spreading too much in the oven. If you’re short on time, pop the dough in the freezer for about 20 minutes instead.

2. Roll Out Evenly For cookies that bake evenly, roll the dough to a consistent thickness—about 1/4 inch thick is ideal. If the dough is too thick, the cookies can bake up unevenly and might not be as soft. If it’s too thin, they could come out too crisp. Using rolling pin guides or simply keeping a close eye on your thickness will help with even baking.

3. Flour Your Surface Lightly When rolling out the dough, sprinkle your work surface and rolling pin with just a little bit of flour to prevent sticking. Too much flour can dry out the dough and make the cookies tough, so use it sparingly. If you find the dough is getting sticky, chill it for a few more minutes before rolling again.

gingerbread cookie dough rolled out with cookie cutters cutting shapes out

4. Use Parchment Paper or a Silicone Mat Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat helps prevent the cookies from sticking and promotes even browning. It also makes clean-up a breeze! If you’re using metal cookie cutters, you can press them directly on the dough while it’s on the parchment paper and transfer the entire sheet to the baking pan without moving the shapes, which minimizes the risk of distorting them.

5. Don’t Overbake Gingerbread cookies should be thick and semi-soft, with just a little bit of give when you bite into them. To achieve this, keep an eye on the baking time. The cookies should be firm to the touch but still soft in the center when they come out of the oven. Overbaking will lead to harder cookies, which may still taste great but won’t have that perfect soft chewiness.

6. Let the Cookies Cool Before Decorating It’s tempting to jump right into decorating as soon as the cookies come out of the oven, but it’s important to let them cool completely first or else the icing will melt or slide off the warm cookies. Once they’re cool, you’ll have a sturdy surface that’s perfect for getting creative with royal icing, sprinkles, or other decorations.

7. Store Properly for Freshness If you’re not eating the cookies right away, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Gingerbread cookies keep well for several days, and the flavors actually deepen as they sit. If you want to make the cookies ahead of time for an event or gifting, you can freeze the undecorated cookies in layers between sheets of parchment paper and decorate them when you’re ready.

Festive Gingerbread Men Cookies

Recipe by Jessie
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy
Servings

12

4-inch cookies
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

7

minutes

Create the most delicious, soft gingerbread men cookies with our easy gingerbread man recipe. These cookies hold their shape during baking, making them perfect for holiday decorating. Whether you’re baking with kids or on your own, these cookies will be a hit!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 c butter

  • 1/2 c brown sugar

  • 1/2 c molasses

  • 1 egg

  • 2.5 c flour

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1 tsp powdered ginger

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 1 tsp nutmeg

  • 1/2 tsp allspice

Directions

  • Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this step.
  • Add Molasses and Egg: Once the butter and sugar are fully combined, add the molasses and egg. Beat until smooth and evenly mixed.
  • Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice until well blended.
  • Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring as you go. Mix until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky, you can add a little more flour (1 tablespoon at a time) until the dough is workable but not dry.
  • Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This step is critical for making the dough easier to handle and ensuring the cookies hold their shape during baking.
  • Preheat the Oven: While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  • Roll Out the Dough: Once the dough has chilled, remove it from the fridge and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out shapes using gingerbread men cookie cutters or any other fun shapes.
  • Bake the Cookies: Transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about an inch of space between each one. Bake for 7-8 minutes, or until the edges are set (the cookie should still be soft in the middle – do not overcook or they will be more crunchy and less chewy!).
  • Cool and Decorate: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, decorate with your favorite royal icing, sprinkles, or any other fun toppings!

Notes

  • This recipe will make approximately 11 – 12 four-inch or 20 – 21 three-inch gingerbread men cookies, depending on how thick you roll the dough and any excess from trimming.

Bring on the Gingerbread

If you’re looking for a recipe that will give you perfectly spiced, thick, and semi-soft gingerbread men every time, this is it. The dough is easy to work with, holds its shape in the oven, and results in cookies that are not only fun to decorate but delightful to eat.

So roll out that dough, preheat the oven, and let the holiday baking begin! These gingerbread men are sure to become a favorite in your house, just like they are in mine.

Looking for more festive cookie ideas? Check out this article where you can find 15 Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes To Make With Kids!

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