Classic Gingerbread Men Cookies

Introduction:
These Classic Gingerbread Men Cookies are a must-have during the holiday season. With their soft yet slightly crisp texture, rich molasses flavor, and warm spices, they are perfect for decorating and sharing with family and friends.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Classic Flavor: The perfect balance of molasses, ginger, and other spices.
• Fun for Decorating: Great for kids and adults to decorate with icing and candy.
• Holiday Tradition: A timeless recipe that’s ideal for gifting or holiday celebrations.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For Decorating:

• Royal icing (store-bought or homemade)
• Candies or sprinkles for decorating

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:
   • In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
   • Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
   • Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight) until firm.
4. Roll and Cut the Dough:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
   • Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
   • Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out shapes, and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
5. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly browned. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Decorate:
   • Once the cookies are completely cool, decorate with royal icing and your choice of candies or sprinkles.

Tips for Success:

• Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough helps make it easier to roll out and keeps the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
• Thickness: Roll the dough evenly to about 1/4-inch thick for consistent baking.

Recipe Variations:

• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of black pepper for extra warmth, or increase the ginger for a more pronounced ginger flavor.
• Vegan Option: Replace the butter with a plant-based alternative and use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water).

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve the cookies with hot cocoa, coffee, or tea for a cozy treat.
• Pack them in gift boxes or bags for a festive homemade gift.

Freezing and Storage:

• Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
• Freezing: Freeze undecorated cookies in a single layer, then transfer to an airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Decorate after thawing.

Special Equipment:

• Rolling Pin: For rolling out the dough.
• Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutter: To cut out the gingerbread shapes.

FAQ:

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?
  Yes, you can make the dough up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• Can I use store-bought icing for decorating?
  Yes, store-bought royal icing works great, but you can also make your own.

Preparation Time:

• 15 minutes for mixing ingredients.
• 1 hour for chilling the dough.

Cook Time:

• 8-10 minutes per batch.

Total Time:

• 1 hour 30 minutes (including chill time and baking).

Nutrition Information (per cookie, assuming 24 cookies):

• Calories: 120
• Protein: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fat: 3g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 15mg
• Sodium: 60mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 12g

Print

Closing Notes:
These Classic Gingerbread Men Cookies are a festive and fun way to celebrate the holidays. Whether you decorate them simply or go all out, they’ll be a hit with everyone!