Gingerbread men are a classic holiday treat loved by both kids and adults alike. These charming cookies, with their warm spices and sweet aroma, bring festive cheer to any occasion. In this recipe, we’ll guide you through making your own gingerbread men from scratch. Whether you’re baking them for Christmas, a winter gathering, or just for fun, these cookies are sure to delight!
Ingredients for Gingerbread Man
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make Gingerbread Man
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Combine Wet Ingredients:
- Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until well combined.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a dough forms. If the dough seems too sticky, add a little more flour.
- Chill the Dough:
- Divide the dough in half, form each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight).
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Roll and Cut Out Shapes:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use gingerbread man cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake:
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set and just beginning to brown. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate (Optional):
- Once cooled, decorate the gingerbread men with icing, candies, or sprinkles as desired. Let the icing set before storing or serving.
About the Main Ingredients
- Flour: Provides structure to the cookies.
- Spices (Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg): Give the gingerbread its classic warm and spicy flavor.
- Butter and Sugar: Create a tender texture and add sweetness.
- Molasses: Adds depth of flavor and helps keep the cookies soft.
- Egg and Vanilla Extract: Bind the dough together and enhance the flavor profile.
Enjoy these homemade gingerbread men as a festive treat during the holiday season or anytime you crave a bit of nostalgia and sweetness!
