If you’re in the mood for some festive fun in the kitchen, these Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are your ticket to instant holiday cheer! Imagine biting into a cookie that combines the warmth of cinnamon and ginger, the richness of molasses, and just the perfect amount of chew. Whether you’re baking with family, making sweet gifts for friends, or simply treating yourself to a nostalgic favorite, this recipe will quickly become your go-to. Magical shapes, sweet decorations, and that classic aroma make every batch an irresistible experience!
Ingredients You’ll Need
All you need are a handful of pantry staples and warm spices to make these Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies. Each ingredient has a role to play, bringing flavor, structure, and that irresistibly soft and chewy bite we all love. Here’s the lineup:
- All-purpose flour: The base that holds everything together and gives the cookies their perfect texture.
- Unsalted butter (softened): For rich flavor and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
- Packed dark brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a hint of caramel flavor, helping keep the cookies moist and chewy too.
- Molasses: The classic ingredient for deep, old-fashioned gingerbread flavor and color.
- Large egg: Binds the dough while lending richness and softness.
- Vanilla extract: Just a splash enhances the sweetness and rounds out the spice.
- Baking soda: Gives the cookies a little lift so they puff slightly but stay soft.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and makes the spices pop.
- Ground ginger: The unmistakable star—giving the cookies their zesty warmth.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a sweet, cozy aroma and familiar holiday flavor.
- Ground cloves: Just a touch deepens the spice and adds a subtle kick.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds an earthy, nutty note that perfectly complements the ginger.
- For Decorating: Royal icing, store-bought cookie icing, sprinkles, or candies – let your creativity shine!
How to Make Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
First, grab a large bowl – this is where the magic begins! Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. This step ensures the spices are evenly distributed so every cookie has that wonderful, well-balanced warmth. Set this spice-filled mixture aside while you work on the next part.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Using another mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and dark brown sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and almost creamy. This aeration step lays the foundation for that delightful soft chewiness. Once it’s looking nice and smooth, beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until you have a gorgeous, richly scented batter.
Step 3: Mix and Chill the Dough
Now it’s time to blend everything together – slowly add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture. Stir gently until a dough forms; don’t overwork it to keep the cookies tender. Divide the dough in half, flatten each piece into a disk, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Pop them in the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours—this step is key for handling the dough easily and achieving those defined, adorable shapes.
Step 4: Roll Out and Cut
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Roll out one disk of dough on a floured surface until it’s about 1/4-inch thick. Cut out the Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies with your favorite cookie cutter, then carefully transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges are just set but the centers still look a tad soft—this is the secret to keeping them irresistibly chewy! Let them rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before cooling completely on a wire rack.
Step 6: Decorate and Enjoy
Once your Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are completely cool, grab the royal icing, sprinkles, candies, and anything else your heart desires. This is the perfect time to get creative, have fun with the family, and make each cookie uniquely delightful!
How to Serve Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
Garnishes
A classic garnish is a generous drizzle of royal icing—think smiles, buttons, and zig-zags. For a touch of sparkle, add colorful sprinkles or tiny candies while the icing is still wet. You could even dust the cookies with a little powdered sugar for extra holiday magic.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine alongside a steaming mug of hot cocoa, spiced tea, or a soothing latte. Set out a plate with fresh fruit, nuts, or even whipped cream for dipping. They’re a standout on any dessert platter, especially when nestled amongst other holiday treats.
Creative Ways to Present
Pack your Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon for gifting, or arrange them standing up in a jar or on a cake stand for a charming centerpiece. You can even host a decorating party, letting everyone personalize their own cookie masterpieces before taking them home.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once decorated, store any leftover Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and wonderfully chewy for up to a week, so you can enjoy them as a sweet snack every day.
Freezing
Gingerbread men freeze beautifully—either as baked cookies (undecorated) or as raw dough disks. Just wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to three months, making holiday prep a breeze.
Reheating
If your cookies have cooled more than you’d like, you can revive that fresh-from-the-oven feeling! Warm undecorated cookies in a 300°F (150°C) oven for a few minutes, or pop one in the microwave for about 8 seconds. This refreshes that perfect soft and chewy texture.
FAQs
How do I keep my gingerbread men soft and chewy?
The secret to soft cookies lies in not overbaking—pull them from the oven while the centers still look slightly underdone, as they’ll set up perfectly while cooling.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the dough a day or two ahead and store it in the fridge. For longer storage, freeze the dough disks for up to three months and thaw in the fridge overnight before using.
What’s the best way to decorate gingerbread men?
Let your imagination run wild—piping on royal icing, adding sprinkles or mini candies, and even edible glitter are all fun options. For a smoother look, use store-bought cookie icing tubes for easy precision.
Do I need to use dark brown sugar?
Dark brown sugar gives these Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies an extra depth of flavor and moisture, but you can substitute light brown sugar in a pinch. The color and flavor will be a bit lighter, but still delicious.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, just swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite one-to-one gluten-free flour blend. Make sure your other ingredients are gluten-free and proceed as usual.
Final Thoughts
Bringing a plate of Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies into your kitchen is like sharing a little piece of festive magic. There’s so much joy in baking, decorating, and devouring these old-fashioned favorites. Give this recipe a try, and you’ll see just how special homemade gingerbread can be—soft, chewy, and bursting with holiday cheer!
Print
Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes (plus chilling)
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies that are perfect for the holiday season. With warm spices and a tender texture, these cookies are a festive treat for all ages.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
For Decorating:
- Royal icing or store-bought cookie icing
- Sprinkles or candies as desired
Instructions
- Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Wet Ingredients: In a separate large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in molasses, egg, and vanilla until well combined.
- Dough Formation: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Chill dough, then roll out, cut shapes, and bake.
- Baking: Preheat oven, roll out dough, cut shapes, and bake until just set. Cool and decorate as desired.
Notes
- For extra softness, avoid overbaking as cookies will firm up upon cooling.
- Dough can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus chilling)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
