Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies

These soft and chewy gingerbread men cookies are the perfect festive treat for the holiday season. Packed with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, these cookies are not only delicious but also fun to decorate! With a simple recipe that’s easy to follow, you can make these gingerbread cookies with your family, creating a sweet tradition for Christmas or any other special occasion.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
2. In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy.
3. Add in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
4. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
5. Divide the dough in half, shape each half into discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. On a floured surface, roll out the dough and cut out gingerbread men shapes using a cookie cutter.
8. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes or until firm.
9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 24 cookies
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (including chilling time)

Variations

• Decorating Tips: After baking, you can decorate the cookies with royal icing, colored sugar, or candy to give them a festive touch.
• Spice Adjustments: If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of ginger and cloves. Alternatively, add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for extra depth.
• Gingerbread Shapes: These cookies don’t have to be limited to gingerbread men. You can use cookie cutters to create gingerbread stars, trees, or other holiday shapes.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you’d like to keep them fresh longer, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: If you’d like to serve the cookies warm, place them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes or microwave them for 10-15 seconds.

10 FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of sugar instead of dark brown sugar? You can substitute light brown sugar or granulated sugar, but dark brown sugar adds a richer flavor and color to the cookies.
2. Can I make these cookies without molasses? Molasses is key to giving gingerbread cookies their distinct flavor and color. If you must substitute, you can use honey or maple syrup, but the taste will differ slightly.
3. Can I freeze the cookie dough? Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator before rolling and cutting out shapes.
4. Why do I need to chill the dough? Chilling the dough makes it easier to roll out and helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
5. Can I use a stand mixer instead of an electric hand mixer? Yes, you can use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment to mix the dough. Just be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
6. How thick should I roll out the dough? Roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thick for perfectly shaped cookies that are chewy and soft.
7. How do I know when the cookies are done? The cookies will be firm to the touch but soft in the center when done. They will firm up as they cool on the baking sheets.
8. Can I add frosting to these cookies? Yes, you can use royal icing, buttercream, or even a simple glaze to decorate the cookies after they have cooled.
9. How long do these cookies stay fresh? These cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 week. You can also freeze them for longer storage.
10. What if I don’t have molasses? If you don’t have molasses, you can use maple syrup, honey, or even brown sugar as an alternative, although the flavor will be different.

Conclusion

These Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are a delightful holiday treat that’s perfect for baking with family and friends. With their soft texture and perfect blend of spices, they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re enjoying them as-is or decorating them with fun designs, these gingerbread cookies will be a memorable part of your festive celebrations.

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