Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies

These Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are perfect for the holiday season. With a rich, spiced flavor and a chewy texture, they are sure to be a festive treat for family and friends. Decorating these cookies can be a fun activity for kids or a creative way to add a personal touch to your holiday celebrations!

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. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir in the dry ingredients to form a dough. The dough will be thick.
5. Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a disc. Wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to help the dough firm up.
6. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll and Cut Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thick. Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
8. Bake: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are firm but the centers are still soft.
9. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a couple of 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)

Decorating Ideas

• Icing: Once the cookies have cooled, decorate with royal icing or frosting to add fun details like buttons, eyes, and scarves.
• Sprinkles: Add colorful sprinkles or sanding sugar for extra sparkle and festive appeal.
• Personalized Designs: Use candy, chocolate chips, or small candies to create faces, belts, and other cute designs on the gingerbread men.

Tips

• Chill the dough: Chilling the dough makes it easier to roll out and helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
• Don’t overbake: Keep an eye on the cookies while baking. Overbaking will make them too crispy. They should still be soft in the center.
• Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They also freeze well if you want to make them ahead of time.
• Dough consistency: If the dough feels too sticky, you can add a little more flour, but be careful not to add too much, or the cookies may become too dry.

FAQs

1. Can I use light brown sugar instead of dark brown sugar? Yes, you can use light brown sugar, though dark brown sugar gives the cookies a slightly richer flavor.
2. Can I use a different type of molasses? Unsulfured molasses is recommended for a smoother flavor, but you can also use regular molasses if needed.
3. How do I make the dough less sticky? If your dough is sticky, dust your rolling surface with a little flour. You can also refrigerate the dough longer to make it easier to handle.
4. Can I make these cookies gluten-free? Yes, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of the regular flour to make these cookies gluten-free.
5. How long should I chill the dough? Chill the dough for at least 2 hours. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll out and cut into shapes.
6. How can I make these cookies crispier? If you prefer a crispier texture, bake the cookies a little longer, checking them every minute after 8 minutes.
7. Can I freeze the dough? Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just wrap it tightly in plastic and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw in the refrigerator before rolling out and baking.
8. Can I use store-bought frosting for decorating? Yes, store-bought frosting or icing works great for decorating if you don’t want to make your own.
9. How can I make the gingerbread men more detailed? Use food coloring or gel icing pens for precise details like faces, scarves, and buttons.
10. Are these cookies kid-friendly to decorate? Absolutely! Kids will love decorating these cookies with icing, candies, and sprinkles to create their own designs.

Conclusion

These Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are not only delicious but also a great holiday tradition to start with family and friends. Whether you’re baking with kids or making them for a holiday party, these cookies are sure to bring smiles and spread Christmas cheer. Enjoy!

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