Description
These irresistibly chewy gingerbread man cookies are perfectly spiced with ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, enriched with molasses for a deep, festive flavor. Soft and tender with a delightful chew, they’re ideal for holiday celebrations and come alive with optional royal icing decorations.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp ground cloves (nutmeg as substitute)
- 0.5 tsp baking soda
- 0.25 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 0.5 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 0.5 cups brown sugar, packed
- 0.5 cups molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional
- Royal icing for decoration
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon each of ground ginger and cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until well mixed.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 1/2 cup packed brown sugar using a mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Molasses, Egg, and Vanilla: Pour in 1/2 cup molasses, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Blend everything together until smooth and fully combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mix. Stir gently until a soft dough forms, making sure not to overmix.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This helps the flavors meld and makes rolling easier.
- Preheat Oven: While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), filling your kitchen with the warm anticipation of baking.
- Roll out Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut and Bake: Use gingerbread man cookie cutters to cut shapes. Place cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until edges are firm but centers remain soft.
- Cool and Decorate: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate with royal icing if desired.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is crucial for easier rolling and to enhance flavors.
- Do not overbake to maintain the chewy texture of the cookies.
- Ground cloves can be substituted with nutmeg if preferred.
- Royal icing decoration is optional but adds a festive look perfect for holidays.
