Description
Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies bring warmth with rich molasses and fragrant spices. A nostalgic treat for festive baking and sweet memories.
Ingredients
Scale
- Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Flavor Boosters:
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup dark molasses
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Icing & Decoration (Optional):
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk the Dry Stuff:: First things first, grab a big bowl and whisk together your flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Seriously, give it a good whisk! You want all those spices distributed evenly, so you don’t get a super gingery bite followed by a bland one. I always imagine the spices having a little party in the bowl, getting to know each other before the wet ingredients crash in. This step is key for truly flavorful Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies.
- Melt and Mix the Wet Stuff:: In a separate, microwave-safe bowl (or a small saucepan), melt your butter. Once it’s liquid, stir in the molasses and granulated sugar until everything is smooth and the sugar starts to dissolve a bit. This mixture should smell so warm and inviting already! I usually take a moment just to breathe it in. Be careful not to let it get too hot, just warm enough to combine everything nicely for your Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies.
- Combine and Chill the Dough:: Now for the magic! Pour your wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir everything together with a sturdy spoon or a spatula until a thick, cohesive dough forms. It’ll be a little sticky, but that’s okay. Once combined, flatten the dough into a disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and pop it in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Honestly, I’ve left it overnight, and it’s even better! This chilling step is non-negotiable for perfect Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies.
- Roll and Cut Your Gingerbread Men:: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper. Take out your chilled dough and, working with half at a time, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Now for the fun part: grab your gingerbread man cookie cutters! Cut out your shapes and carefully transfer them to the prepared baking sheets. Don’t crowd them too much, hon, they need a little space to breathe.
- Bake to Perfection:: Bake your gingerbread men for 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them! You want the edges to be just set and slightly golden, but the centers should still look a little soft. Overbaking is the enemy of chewy! When they come out, they’ll be quite soft, so let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up without losing that lovely chewiness.
- Decorate (or Don’t!):: Once your Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are completely cool, it’s time to decorate if you’re feeling fancy! A simple royal icing (powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and vanilla) is classic. I love drawing little smiles and buttons. Or, honestly, sometimes I just eat them plain. They’re that good on their own! Get creative, or keep it simple – the flavor is what truly shines here.