Gingerbread Men Cookies

Gingerbread Men Cookies are a holiday favorite with warm spices, soft centers, and crisp edges—perfect for baking, decorating, and sharing!

Gingerbread Men Cookies are a cherished holiday tradition, loved for their warm, spiced flavors and delightful textures—soft in the center with crisp, perfectly baked edges.

This classic recipe brings festive cheer to any celebration, whether you’re baking with family, decorating cookies for fun, or creating edible gifts for loved ones. These cookies are as enjoyable to make as they are to eat, filling your kitchen with the comforting aroma of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.

Pair them with a cozy mug of hot cocoa or serve them at your holiday gatherings for a treat that’s as festive as it is delicious!

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Unsalted Butter – Adds richness and flavour. Substitute with margarine or plant-based butter for a dairy-free option.
• Brown Sugar – Provides sweetness and moisture. You can use coconut sugar for a natural alternative.
• Fancy Molasses – Adds depth and that classic gingerbread flavour. If unavailable, use regular molasses or even dark corn syrup, though the flavour will vary slightly.
• Egg – Binds the dough and adds structure. For an egg-free version, replace with a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, set for 5 minutes).
• Vanilla Extract – Enhances flavour. Almond extract can be used for a subtle nutty twist, but use sparingly as it’s stronger.
• All-Purpose Flour – Forms the base of the cookies. Substitute with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend for a gluten-free version.
• Baking Soda – Provides lift.
• Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances flavour.
• Spices – The signature spices of gingerbread. You can use a premixed gingerbread spice blend or pumpkin pie spice as a substitute.
• Royal Icing (Optional) – For decorating the cookies. Substitute with store-bought icing, melted white chocolate, or skip it entirely for a more rustic look.

Equipment Needed

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Stand mixer
• Large mixing bowl
• plastic wrap
• rolling pin
• cookie cutters
• sheet pans

Looking for More Classic Christmas Cookie Recipes?

Check out some of my favourite classic Christmas Cookies:

These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth old-fashioned pecan crescents cookies are a family heirloom Christmas cookie recipe.

These Stained Glass Window Shortbread Cookies are a classic Christmas Cookie Recipe featuring candied cherries and ground almonds. Make the dough ahead then slice and bake when ready!

White Chocolate & Cranberry Shortbread cookies – those melt in your mouth cookies are a sweet twist on a classic cookie recipe!

Gingerbread Men Cookies

Yield: 24 Cookies | Prep Time: 3.5 hours | Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

• 3/4 Cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2/3 cup Fancy molasses
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoon ground cloves
• optional: royal icing

Directions:

Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth and creamy.

Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla on high speed for 2 minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and spices until combined.

Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients at low speed until well combined. The dough should be thick and slightly sticky.

Divide the dough in half and wrap in plastic wrap tightly, shaping it into a flattened disc.

Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before baking or up to 3 days.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside.

Flour your work surface, hands and rolling pin.

Roll out one of the discs of dough until about 1/4 inch thick.

Use a gingerbread men cookie cutter to cut out the shapes from the dough.

Place the shapes on the prepared baking sheet.

Re-roll dough scraps until you have none left.

Repeat with remaining dough.

Bake cookies for about 8-10 minutes, rotating your pan halfway through.

Allow cookies to cool for 10 minutes on the cookie sheet.

Transfer to cooling rack to completely cool, then decorate as desired.

Originally published on frugalmomeh.com on December 3, 2020.