Description
Delightful gingerbread men cookies that are soft, chewy, and perfect for the holidays. Fun to make and decorate, they’re a treat for both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling out the dough)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks)
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons warm water
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Sprinkles of your choice
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Set this bowl aside.
- In another bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the molasses and the egg to the butter mixture. Mix well until everything is combined.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet mixture. Stir it until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two balls, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out one ball of dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out gingerbread men shapes.
- Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are firm.
- Let the cookies cool on a wire rack.
- For the royal icing, mix powdered sugar, warm water, meringue powder, and cream of tartar in a bowl until smooth. You may need to adjust the water for your desired consistency.
- Decorate your gingerbread men with royal icing and add sprinkles for a festive touch.
Notes
Make sure your butter is soft enough to blend easily but not melted. Chill the dough to prevent it from spreading while baking. Use plenty of flour when rolling out the dough to avoid sticking.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American