Festive Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe That Holds Its Shape
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.
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.
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.
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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