These Gingerbread Men are the ultimate Christmas cookies! This recipe yields soft, yet firm gingerbread cookies that are perfectly spiced, buttery, and hold their shape beautifully. Top them off with my foolproof icing that makes plenty for decorating, and you’ve got yourself a fun holiday activity for the whole family. Recipe includes a how-to video!
Perfect Gingerbread Cookies
Christmas cookie season is here, and I can’t think of a cookie that’s more festive than gingerbread men.
With their adorable icing faces and candy bowties and buttons, they’re almost always the cutest cookies on the tray–but they’re not always the most tasty. Many recipes call for loads of flour to make the very sticky dough (a byproduct of using molasses) more manageable, but this often leads to dull, dry cookies that just don’t taste great.
While my recipe takes a little bit more patience, I simply chill my dough for a few hours, which guarantees gingerbread men that are easy to make and flavorful.
These cookies are soft and perfectly spiced in a way that’s not overwhelming, but still distinctly gingerbread -flavored. Besides their perfect blend of spices, they have a subtle buttery note that adds richness and balances everything out beautifully. Like my well-loved sugar cookies, my gingerbread cookies maintain their shape while baking, so they’re perfect for precise cut-out shapes. Even better, they don’t get too hard (like gingersnaps); instead, the centers are firm, but ultimately melt in your mouth.
I’m confident you’re going to love them, so let’s get to it!
What You Need for Gingerbread Men
These gingerbread cookies are easy to make and so flavorful! Let’s touch on a few of the key ingredients in the cookies:
- Butter. Use unsalted and make sure it’s softened, but not melty.
- Brown sugar. You can use either light or dark brown sugar. Dark brown will add a stronger flavor, so just keep that in mind.
- Molasses. This is an essential gingerbread ingredient! It adds color, flavor, and moisture. Look for molasses that says “unsulphered” on the label and avoid blackstrap molasses, which could make the cookies bitter.
- Egg. Just one egg helps bind our dough together.
- Flour. Use all-purpose flour, and don’t be afraid to add extra when you’re rolling your dough (it will be sticky). Note: I’ve increased the flour just a little bit (about ¼ cup) compared to my original recipe that was published several years ago.
- Spices. We’ll use traditional gingerbread spices, including ginger, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg.
While you could always use royal icing, I prefer to frost my gingerbread men with the same easy icing I use for my sugar cookies. It’s super simple, and it tastes much better than royal icing! Here’s what you need:
- Powdered sugar. Sift your powdered sugar before using it to avoid any lumps.
- Milk. Pretty much any kind of milk will work here.
- Corn syrup. Not to be confused with high fructose corn syrup, this ingredient can be left out (you might need a splash more milk) but your icing won’t dry as quickly, as shiny, or as well, unfortunately.
- Vanilla. Just a splash of vanilla extract adds a nice smooth flavor.
- Sprinkles/decoration. Use whatever you like! Or skip the sprinkles and just do some fun icing decorations.
SAM’S TIP: Many have asked if this recipe can be used to make a gingerbread house instead of gingerbread men. While I haven’t tried it myself, I think it should work as long as you keep your house small and simple. The cookies bake up with crisp edges but somewhat tender middles, so if the house is too big, it may not hold up structurally.
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Gingerbread Men
- Beat together butter, sugar, and molasses and then stir in an egg and vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then gradually stir them into the wet ingredients. You’ll have a sticky dough, wrap it tightly and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
- Generously flour a clean surface and use a rolling pin to roll your dough until it is ¼″ thick.
- Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Gather scraps and re-roll your dough to cut out as many cookies as you can, and bake for 8-10 minutes.
SAM’S TIP: This dough will be VERY sticky once you’ve mixed it all together–this is normal! To make it more manageable, chill it for several hours. Some recipes would instead call for more flour to minimize the wait, but I don’t prefer this because it can make the cookies hard, dry, and much less flavorful. Chilling our dough allows us to let that buttery, perfectly spiced gingerbread flavor shine!
This icing recipe makes a bit more than you typically need so you can have fun decorating your gingerbread men! If you don’t need a lot of icing, simply make a half batch.
- Combine icing ingredients with a whisk, starting with only two tablespoons of milk. You’ll know its ready when you hold your whisk out of the bowl and the ribbon of icing that falls down hold its shape for several seconds before dissolving into the rest of the bowl. If your icing is too thick at this stage, add the remaining milk. If it’s too thin, add some more powdered sugar.
- Transfer icing to a piping bag and decorate! Let the icing harden before enjoying (or don’t, I don’t judge!).
SAM’S TIP: To make the icing in advance, simply store in an airtight container with a piece of plastic wrap against the surface. You can either refrigerate it or keep at room temperature, but just make sure to stir again before using.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is really a personal preference, but I prefer my gingerbread men to be softer with crisp, well-defined edges and chewy, melt-in-your-mouth interiors. If you like dry, crisp gingerbread cookies, this recipe may not be for you.
No! Gingersnaps are typically very crisp (although I do have a soft and chewy version) and have a different spice profile. Gingersnaps have no nutmeg, more ginger, and less cinnamon, plus a few extra spices that differentiate them from gingerbread men. I add both cayenne and black pepper to my gingersnaps to give them a slight heat, which my gingerbread men don’t have.
Molasses adds flavor, color, and moisture. It’s an essential ingredient for gingerbread and gingerbread men, so don’t skip it! I typically to use “Grandma’s” or “Brer Rabbit” brand.
Enjoy!
More Recipes You Might Like
- Pizzelle
- Peppermint Bark Cookies
- Funfetti Christmas Cookies
- Gingersnap Cookies (Crisp, Snappy Cookies!)
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Gingerbread Men
Ingredients
For Gingerbread Men
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup (100 g) light or dark brown sugar tightly packed
- ½ cup (120 ml) unsulphured molasses (I use Grandma's or Brer Rabbit brand and avoid using blackstrap)
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups (345 g) all purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
For Icing:
- 3 cups (375 g) powdered sugar sifted
- 2-4 Tablespoons milk
- 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Decorative candies and sprinkles as desired
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
For Cookies:
- Combine butter, sugar, and molasses and use an electric mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment to beat until ingredients are creamy and well-combined.½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, ½ cup (100 g) light or dark brown sugar, ½ cup (120 ml) unsulphured molasses
- Stir in egg and vanilla extract until well-combined. The mixture may look piecey/like it's separating, this is fine and it will come together when you add the dry ingredients.1 large egg, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and spices (ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg).2 ¾ cups (345 g) all purpose flour, ¾ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 ½ teaspoon ground ginger, 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- With mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture until the dough is smooth, cohesive, and completely combined.
- Divide the dough into two parts (it will be quite sticky, use a spatula) and wrap each tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Rolling and Cutting Cookies
- Once dough has chilled, preheat oven to 375F (190C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (alternatively bake cookies directly on ungreased baking sheet)
- Generously flour a clean surface and lightly flour the dough as well (see note).
- Use a rolling pin to roll the dough to be approximately ¼” (.6cm) thick, and use a cookie cutter (my cookie cutter for these was about 3.5” long) to cut out shapes.
- Use a spatula to place cookies on prepared baking sheet, spacing at least 2" apart and then transfer to 375F (190C) oven, and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheet before decorating.
Gingerbread Cookie Icing
- Combine sugar, 2 Tablespoons of milk, corn syrup, and vanilla extract in a medium-sized bowl and stir until combined. Look for a consistency where the icing that drizzles off the spoon and back into the bowl holds its shape for several seconds before dissolving back into the rest of the icing. If frosting is too thick, add more milk, about a teaspoon at a time, until the frosting is thick but pipeable. If too thin, add additional powdered sugar until desired texture is reached.3 cups (375 g) powdered sugar, 2-4 Tablespoons milk, 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Transfer to a piping bag with a piping tip (I used Wilton #5), or place in a Ziploc bag and snip a small piece of the corner off. Pipe frosting on cookies and decorate with decorative candies, if desired.Decorative candies and sprinkles
- Allow frosting to harden before enjoying (this took only about 30 minutes for me, but may take longer if your frosting is wetter)
- Keep uneaten cookies sealed in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
Brown Sugar
Either light or dark brown sugar will work just fine in this recipe, I typically use whichever I have on hand. Dark brown sugar will yield darker, slightly sweeter cookies with a slightly stronger molasses taste.Notes for When Rolling
When rolling cookies, generously dust your surface with flour so the cookies don’t stick, and if the dough still seems sticky while rolling dust the dough and rolling pin with additional flour as needed. This is a softer dough by nature but it should not be so sticky that it isn’t manageable. If the dough is difficult to roll (too stiff) or is cracking, let it sit at room temperature for 10-20 minutes before continuing.Making in Advance
The cookie dough may be made and chilled in the refrigerator up to 5 days in advance of rolling, cutting, and baking. The icing may be made 2-3 days in advance and stored in either the refrigerator or at room temperature. To store, place in a small airtight container and cover the surface of the icing tightly with plastic wrap before replacing the lid. Icing will likely need to be stirred again before using.Storing
These cookies can be stored (before or after decorating) in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks (but are freshest when enjoyed within one week).Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Andres
Could I freeze half the dough?
Sam
Hi Andres! That should work just fine. 🙂
RO
These cookies are really so much better the next da and the day after. The flavors sit and really come through.
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much! 🙂
Cathy Skirpan
These cookies came out absolutely perfectly! They are delicious!
Sam
I am so happy to hear this! Thank you so much for letting me know how they turned out, Cathy, I appreciate it! 🙂
Carol
Can I use dark Kero instead of molasses in the cookie dough?
Sam
Hi Carol! Honestly I haven’t tried it but it could work. You will lose that distinct flavor though. Let me know how it goes if you try it. 🙂
Wai Ling
I love this Gingerbread cookies. My first time making them and they are so good. My husband would love more ginger in it. How much more can i put ?
Sam
Hi Wai! You can just play with it a little bit. This is going to be a too taste addition. 🙂
Susan
If I have extra icing, how long will it keep and how should I store it?
Sam
Hi Susan! I haven’t tried it so I’m not sure how well it would store. I would probably try storing it with plastic directly against the surface at room temperature. I’d love to know how it goes if you try it. 🙂
Julianna
Just used this recipe and they turned out great! I always love a soft gingerbread cookie 😋
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Julianna! 🙂
Kelli
How many gingerbread men cookies does this recipe make?
Sam
Approximately 2 dozen, though this can vary depending on the size of your cookie cutter.
Trisha
Does the butter have to be unsalted?
Sam
Hi Trisha! It’s best if it is unsalted but if you only have salted you can just reduce the salt by 1/4 teaspoon. 🙂
Janna
I just made this recipe and it was a complete fail for me. I chilled the dough overnight, but it was still very soft and difficult to work with. We managed to cut out 2 cookies but the dough was too soft to pull up cleanly around the cookies. I salvaged the rest of the dough by doing drop cookies, but it was a major disappointment.😢
Sam
This is so disappointing to hear, Janna 🙁 May I ask how much butter you used? By chance were any substitutions made? I’d love to help troubleshoot so you can have the same results I have in my own kitchen, I honestly love this recipe and would love for you to experience that, too!
Mariana
I did some with the molasses ans they tasted good, they were a little spice though
Sam
I’m glad you enjoyed them! 🙂
Celia
Hi! Just wondering, should the butter be softened or melted?
Sam
Hi Celia! It should be softened, sorry about the confusion! I have updated the recipe to be more clear, thank you for bringing that to my attention.
Dana
These look amazing! I only have dark corn syrup would that work as well?
Sam
Hi Dana! It will work but it will tint the frosting a darker color, so just keep that in mind!
Nancy Haro
Hi Sam, can I use this recipe (as well as the icing) to make a gingerbread house?
Sam
Hi Nancy! This is a softer cookie so you may be able to get away with making a smaller gingerbread house. For the icing I would recommend my royal icing. It’s a little stronger and will hold better. 🙂
Mariana
Hi, Is there a problem if I don’t use the molasses?
Sam
Hi Mariana! Unfortunately you really shouldn’t leave it out and I’m not sure of a good substitute. 🙁
Amy
I’m an avid baker and I followed your recipe to a T including weights. Refrigerated overnight, almost 24 hrs actually, and the dough ended up so soft and sticky. It was impossible to roll out without it sticking to the surface. I was very generous with the flour before rolling. There was just no way to use this dough for cut outs. It didn’t have enough structure. The redeeming factor for me was the flavor and I made them into drop cookies rolled in sugar, more like a softer ginger snap.
Sam
This is very odd, I’m disappointed to hear it turned out this way for you, Amy. If everything was followed to a T then I really am not sure what might have gone wrong, this isn’t an issue I have experienced before 🙁
Andres
How long does this dough last in the fridge?
Sam
Hi Andres! I wouldn’t keep it longer than a week. 🙂
Angie
Hi, do you know if I can use more brown sugar instead of molasses? Thank you.
Sam
Hi Angie! Unfortunately you really need the molasses here. 🙁