Sharing all the details on how to make gingerbread cookies! This is the perfect gingerbread man cookies recipe and the only recipe you’ll ever need. These cut-out cookies are full of flavor and spices with a gingerbread man shape. Decorate them with royal icing for a perfectly, sweetened Christmas cookie!
Our gingerbread cookies genuinely have the most delicious gingerbread flavor. I enjoyed eating them with my morning coffee or a cup of peppermint hot chocolate. You will love them too!
If you love gingerbread as much as we do check out our gingerbread house recipe our Gingerbread Christmas tree, mini gingerbread houses, the best gingerbread frosting, and the most fantastic gingerbread latte!
Yes, gingerbread cookies are meant to be eaten, too — not just used to build adorable gingerbread houses. Baked the right way, they’re a delicious holiday favorite.
The texture of gingerbread cutout cookies is not the same as a ginger cookie. A chewy ginger cookie is more like a traditional, chewy buttery cookie. However, gingerbread cookies are more of a “bread” cookie.
Think of a biscuit cookie or even something like a biscotti. They have a drier texture and are flavorful, lightly sweetened bread cookies. They have a spicy flavor to them and smell incredible!
Before we dive into making these delicious cookies, here’s a little bit of history about them.
History of Gingerbread Cookies
The first known gingerbread cookie recipe originated in Greece in 2400 BC. The Chinese developed recipes in the 10th century, and Europeans had their own version of gingerbread by the late Middle Ages.
Queen Elizabeth, I adorned the cookies, sometimes with gilded leaves and shaped like kings, queens, and animals. Gingerbread shapes changed with the seasons, metamorphosing from birds in the fall to flowers in the spring.
How to Make Gingerbread Cookies
This is a great recipe; the cookies are easy and fun. They are classic gingerbread cookies decorated in a charming way! My kids go crazy for them and they are perfect for the holiday season. Continue reading for everything you need to know to make the best gingerbread man cookies.
Baking Tools
Parchment Paper
Rolling Pin
Large Bowl
Electric Mixer – Either a hand mixer or a stand mixer will work.
Cookie Sheet
Piping Bag and Tips
Wire Rack
Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutter
Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Ingredients Notes
The full recipe and measurements are in the recipe card below.
- All-Purpose Flour – I use all-purpose flour for this recipe.
- Dark Brown Sugar – This gives the cookies an even more molasses flavor.
- Molasses – This is one of the main ingredients in gingerbread cookies. Try Blackstrap (what I used in this recipe) or Grandma’s Original Molasses
- Warm Spices – We use ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves to add flavor to these gingerbread men cookies.
- Baking Soda – This will help the cookies to puff up just a bit.
- Vanilla Extract – Adds flavor depth and enhances the flavors in the cookies. Use pure vanilla extract.
- Eggs – Used to stabilize the cookie. Use large, organic eggs when possible.
You’ll also need ingredients for royal icing and any decorative treats you want to add, like gumdrop buttons!
Pro Tip – If you need a substitution for molasses, you can try dark corn syrup. However, it will change the taste and look of these cookies.
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, ground cloves, salt, and baking soda together until the mixture is smooth.
- Add in the egg and vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.
- Turn the mixer to low speed and slowly add in the flour. Continue mixing until all of the ingredients are blended together.
- Chill the dough for 1 to 2 hours or overnight. The dough will be sticky and soft, so chilling the dough gingerbread cookie dough is imperative when using cookie cutters.
- Once the dough is chilled, roll it on a lightly floured surface, and add flour to the top of the dough so it won’t stick. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to 1/8″ – 1/4″ inch thickness.
- Then, use cookie cutters to make shapes. Continue rolling the dough and making shapes until the dough is gone.
- Place the cookie on a lined baking sheet and bake in a 375-degree oven for 5-6 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool for a few minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.
- While the cookies are cooling, make the Royal icing to decorate them.
- Decorate how you please! For these, we made pink and white royal icing, then used a small hole piping tip and created designs.
- You can also add sprinkles or gumdrops to your cookies as well.
Expert Tips for Making The Best Gingerbread Cookies
Chill the dough: This step is important! If you do not chill the dough, it won’t be easy to work with and the cookies will spread.
Roll the dough: Rolling the dough to an even thickness is essential for consistent cookies.
Bake the cookies: Do not overbake the gingerbread cookies! They will continue to cook a bit when you take them out of the oven.
Decorate the cookies: Have fun with this! Be creative and use whatever you have on hand to decorate the cookies.
Quality Ingredients and Freshness – Always check the dates on all of your ingredients before using them. It’s also important that you use quality ingredients for the best flavor.
Cookie Cutters – You can make different shapes using the fun cookie cutters that you want! From starts to trees to reindeer or Santas! This gingerbread cookie recipe is great for any festive shape!
How to Store Gingerbread Cookies
Store gingerbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
You can also freeze them for up to three months.
To freeze, place the cookies in a freezer bag or container and store in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat them, let them thaw at room temperature.
How to Decorate Gingerbread Man Cookies
Decorating gingerbread cookies is a fun, rewarding activity. You have many ways to go about it.
You could, for instance, decorate them with royal icing, which is what prefer! Or you can use buttercream frosting. You can also just dust powdered sugar over the top and call it a day!
When to Serve Gingerbread Cookies
This gingerbread cookie recipe is perfect for any holiday party cookie and cocktails party served with our gingerbread martini, a cookie swap, a gingerbread house-making party, or Christmas brunch!
They also make great gifts. Simply place them in a cellophane bag and tie them with a bow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unless you’re building a gingerbread house, no one wants stale, rock-hard cookies.
Store the cookies in a covered tin or jar. Or, wrap them in foil or plastic and store them in a dry, cool place. If you have gingerbread people, you’ll need more space, and you’ll have to wrap them carefully. Make an aluminum foil tent if your tin or jar isn’t big enough. Just don’t let it touch the tops.
Use cooking or fancy molasses for these cookies. Cooking molasses are the most popular choice because it’s flavorful, dark, and delicious.
Cooking molasses combine blackstrap and fancy molasses. The result is sweeter and more palatable than blackstrap.
The cookies are done when they have crisp edges and soft centers. Those are signs that they’ve been evenly cooked. The bottoms should be dark or golden brown as well.
If you can’t tell because the dough was pretty dark initially, try a touch test. Gently press the edges to ensure they’re firm. Or, use a spatula to softly nudge them.
Gingerbread cookies usually last for a long four to six weeks. The custom-decorated cookies sold at gourmet stores have a shelf life of around a month. That’s because they’re made from scratch, without preservatives.
More Ideas for Gingerbread Cookies
Of course, they are super tasty but there are other things you can do with gingerbread cookies that will make your house smell amazing!
Gingerbread Ornaments
Make gingerbread cookie ornaments by poking a straw-size hole in the top of the cookie before baking. Then, add string through each one once cooled to hang on the tree.
Gingerbread Garland
A garland is another beautiful way to display homemade gingerbread cookies. Do the same things as if you were making an ornament, but tie them all to one long string, spaced out. Then hang it on a mantle or over a window.
Gingerbread Gift Tags
Add a homemade gingerbread cookie to a present! Such a beautiful accent to any gift.
Gingerbread Cookie Place Cards
If you’re hosting a party, write the name of each guest on a gingerbread cookie and place them on each plate, where you want the guest to sit.
More Holiday Cookie Recipes You’ll Love
If you love this gingerbread cookie recipe, then you have to try more of our favorite Christmas cookies!
Biscotti Recipe with Cranberries and Pistachios
The Best Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Make Delicious Gingerbread Cookies This Season!
Gingerbread is a culinary delight. It is the foundation of houses and the delectable sweet of choice for the holidays and other special occasions. They are traditional cookies that have a lot of flavors!
If you make these gingerbread man cookies, let us know what you think! I know you’ll be presently surprised!!
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Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, unsalted, room temp.
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, ground cloves, salt, and baking soda together until the mixture is smooth.
- Add in the egg and vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.
- Turn the mixer to low and slowly add in the flour. Continue mixing until all of the ingredients are blended together.
- Chill the dough for 1 to 2 hours or overnight. The dough will be sticky and soft, so chilling the dough is imperative when using cookie cutters.
- Once the dough is chilled, roll it on a floured surface, and add flour to the top of the dough so it won’t stick. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to 1/8″ – 1/4″ thick.
- Then, use cookie cutters to make shapes. Continue rolling the dough and making shapes until the dough is gone.
- Place the cookie on a lined baking sheet and bake in a 375-degree oven for 5-6 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool for a few minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.
- While the cookies are cooling, make the Royal icing to decorate them.
- Decorate how you please! For these, we made pink and white royal icing, then used a small hole piping tip and created designs.
Notes
Nutrition
Munching on gingerbread cookies while drinking eggnog topped with nutmeg, listening to Christmas music, and wrapping presents…I love it. LOVE it! Good and wonderful cookies!
My kids loved these!! So fun to make!
These look so cute and adorable! I can’t wait to make these! So excited!