The Most Tender & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe

Biting into a perfectly spiced gingerbread men cookie that dances with warmth and nostalgia.

These festive treats bring memories of cozy winter kitchens and cheerful holiday moments.

Sweet molasses and robust spices blend together, creating a magical texture that melts in you.

Crisp edges give way to a tender center, promising delightful contrasts in every single bite.

Childhood memories swirl through each carefully crafted cookie, connecting generations with their irresistible charm.

Baking these little guys transforms your kitchen into a wonderland of aromatic spices and pure joy.

I promise these gingerbread men will become your new seasonal favorite.

Why Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies Taste Like Christmas

• Unleash Holiday Warmth: These gingerbread men cookies bring cozy winter feelings with their rich, spicy aroma and nostalgic charm, making every bite feel like a festive celebration.
• Master Soft Cookie Magic: Using a chilling technique ensures a perfectly soft and chewy texture, while precise baking time prevents hardness, creating cookies that melt delightfully in your mouth.
• Create Family Baking Fun: The simple rolling and cutting process makes these cookies an excellent activity for kids and adults, allowing everyone to enjoy decorating and personalizing their gingerbread characters with creativity and laughter.
• Quick and Simple Preparation: With straightforward ingredients and easy steps, this recipe takes minimal effort, letting you whip up delicious homemade cookies in under an hour, perfect for spontaneous baking moments or last-minute holiday treats.

What You Need For Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the classic gingerbread cookie.
• Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves: Classic warm spices that give traditional gingerbread flavor and aroma.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates a soft, chewy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter, Brown Sugar: Creates rich, soft base with deep caramel notes.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture.
• Molasses: Provides signature dark color and deep, robust flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle background warmth and complexity.

• Royal Icing, Sprinkles, Candies: Optional festive finishing touches for personalized cookie design.

How To Make Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies

Step 1: Whip Up the Cookie Dough

• Flour
• Ground ginger
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Cloves
• Baking soda
• Salt

Slowly combine the dry mix with your wet ingredients, stirring until a soft, magical dough forms. Split the dough into two disk-shaped portions, wrap them in plastic, and let them chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour (or overnight if you can wait that long).

Step 2: Shape Your Gingerbread Friends

Fire up the oven to 350F (175C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Dust your work surface with a light sprinkle of flour. Roll out one dough disk until it’s super thin. Use your gingerbread man cookie cutter to create adorable cookie characters. Transfer these little guys to the baking sheets, giving them some breathing room between each shape. Gather up the leftover dough scraps and roll them out again to make more cookies.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. You’re looking for edges that are set but centers that still look slightly soft. The goal is chewy, not crunchy! Let the cookies hang out on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4: Dress Up Your Cookie Pals

Once your gingerbread friends are totally cool, it’s time to get creative. Decorate with royal icing, sprinkle on some colorful candies, or add any sweet embellishments that make you smile. Let the decorations set before serving or storing these tasty treats.

Pro Tips For Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies

• Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading and help cookies maintain their crisp gingerbread man shape during baking.
• Prevent Overbaking: Watch cookies closely and remove from oven when edges are just set but centers remain soft, ensuring a chewy texture that melts in your mouth.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust ground spices to personal taste – increase ginger for more heat or reduce for a milder flavor profile that suits your preference.
• Use Parchment Paper: Line baking sheets with parchment to prevent sticking and ensure easy cookie removal without breaking delicate edges.
• Store Smartly: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, separating layers with wax paper to maintain their soft, tender texture.

Keep Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies Fresh

• Refrigerator Storage: Place cooled gingerbread men in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They'll stay fresh for up to 7 days when stored in the refrigerator.
• Freezer Method: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining their delicious flavor and soft texture.
• Reheating Technique: Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Warm slightly in a preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to restore their just-baked softness and revive their warm spice aroma.
• Quick Serving Tip: Bring refrigerated or thawed cookies to room temperature before serving to enjoy their optimal texture and taste.

What Goes With Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies

• Pair with Warm Holiday Spice Tea: Brew a comforting spiced tea like chai or cinnamon tea that complements the gingerbread's warm, aromatic flavors. The spicy notes will enhance the cookie's rich ginger and cinnamon profile.
• Match with Creamy Eggnog: Serve alongside a chilled glass of traditional eggnog. The creamy, nutmeg-infused drink provides a smooth contrast to the cookies' crisp edges and chewy texture.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Latte: Enjoy these gingerbread men with a steaming vanilla bean latte. The smooth, sweet coffee drink balances the cookies' robust spices and creates a delightful holiday indulgence.
• Complement with Mulled Wine: Pour a warm glass of spiced mulled wine for an adult twist. The wine's deep, fruity undertones and warming spices beautifully echo the gingerbread's complex flavor profile.

Playful Twists On Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies

• Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Treasures: Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for a sweet, melty surprise that complements the warm spices perfectly.
• Nutty Ginger Crunch: Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough to create a crunchy texture and enhance the cookie's depth of flavor.
• Citrus Spice Burst: Incorporate orange or lemon zest into the dough to brighten the traditional gingerbread flavor with a zesty, tangy note.
• Gluten-Free Ginger Option: Swap wheat flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring everyone can enjoy these classic holiday cookies without compromise.

Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies Questions

• Why are these gingerbread men cookies so soft and chewy?

The secret is in the ingredients and baking technique. Using brown sugar helps retain moisture, while not overbaking (only 8-10 minutes) keeps the cookies tender and prevents them from becoming hard.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to overnight. This actually helps develop deeper flavors and makes the dough easier to handle when rolling and cutting.

• What if I don't have all the spices listed in the recipe?

No worries! While the blend of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves creates the classic gingerbread flavor, you can still make delicious cookies using just ginger or a pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice as a substitute.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for set edges but slightly soft centers. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet, so don’t be tempted to overbake them.

Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Magical gingerbread men cookies dance with warm spices and festive charm, bringing holiday spirit to kitchen counters. Molasses-rich dough and crisp edges invite sweet memories while delighting cookie enthusiasts with classic seasonal comfort.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups (360 grams) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (150 grams) brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) unsulfured molasses
• ¾ cup (112 grams or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Decorating Ingredients (Optional):

• Royal icing (store-bought or homemade)
• Assorted sprinkles or candies

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Instructions

1. Whip the butter and brown sugar in a spacious mixing vessel until airy and velvety. Incorporate the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly until a uniform mixture emerges.
2. In a separate container, sift together the dry components: flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold these ingredients into the wet mixture, creating a supple dough.
3. Partition the dough into two compact disks, encase each in transparent film, and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes to enhance flavor development and improve texture.
4. Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and arrange parchment paper on two baking trays. Dust a clean work surface with flour and gently roll out one dough disk to a delicate 14-inch thickness.
5. Utilize a gingerbread man cookie cutter to craft charming silhouettes. Carefully transfer each shape onto the prepared baking sheets, maintaining a one-inch interval between cookies. Reassemble and re-roll remaining dough fragments.
6. Place the trays in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. The cookie edges should appear set while centers remain tender. Monitor closely to prevent overcooking and maintain a chewy consistency.
7. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes, then transition them to a wire cooling rack. Permit complete cooling before embellishing with royal icing, festive sprinkles, or delicate candies.
8. Once decorations have solidified, the gingerbread men are prepared for serving or storing in an airtight container.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the gingerbread men’s crisp shape during baking.
• Use fresh, high-quality spices to enhance the warm, rich flavor profile of the cookies and create a more complex taste.
• Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg to suit personal preferences or dietary restrictions.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to maintain softness and prevent sticking for up to a week.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 100mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 15mg