Gingerbread Man Cookies are classic holiday treats that bring smiles with their spicy, sweet flavor and fun shapes. Made with fragrant ginger, cinnamon, and molasses, these little cookies are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. The best part is decorating them with icing and candies to make each one unique and playful.
I love making these cookies with my family because everyone gets to be creative while waiting for the dough to chill. I usually bake a big batch so we can have extra for snacking and gifting. There’s something special about the smell of ginger and spices filling the kitchen—it instantly feels cozy and festive. Pro tip: chilling the dough really helps keep the gingerbread men from spreading too much in the oven.
Serving these at a holiday party or just enjoying them with a cup of hot cocoa makes for warm memories every time. I especially enjoy little kids’ faces when they see their gingerbread men come to life with icing and gumdrops. These cookies aren’t just tasty—they’re a joyful tradition that I look forward to every year.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Molasses: This gives gingerbread its deep, rich flavor and moisture. If you don’t have molasses, you can use dark corn syrup or honey, but the flavor will be a bit different and less intense. I stick with molasses for that classic taste.
Ground Ginger and Spices: Fresh ground ginger offers a nice kick. If you love spice, try adding a pinch of black pepper for warmth. You can skip the cloves or nutmeg if you prefer a milder taste.
Butter: Butter adds richness and helps the cookies hold their shape. For a dairy-free option, use a vegan butter substitute with similar firmness for best results.
Brown Sugar: The dark brown sugar adds moisture and a caramel note. If you only have light brown sugar, it works too, just expect a slightly lighter flavor.
Flour: All-purpose flour is common here, but you can try half whole wheat for a nuttier flavor, keeping in mind the texture will be a bit denser.
How Can I Make Sure My Gingerbread Men Keep Their Shape?
One key step is chilling your dough before rolling and cutting. This helps the fat firm up so the cookies don’t spread too much during baking.
- Wrap the dough disks tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
- Roll the dough evenly to about 1/4 inch thickness; too thin and cookies will burn, too thick and they won’t bake evenly.
- After cutting shapes, chill the cut cookies on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes before baking, so they hold their form better.
- Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes; watch closely near the end so edges don’t overbake and spread.
Following these tips helps your gingerbread men look just like you shaped them—ready for decorating and smiling back at you!
Equipment You’ll Need
- medium mixing bowls – I use these for whisking dry ingredients and creaming butter and sugar; they help keep ingredients separate and organized.
- whisk – makes mixing spices and dry ingredients quick and easy without clumping.
- electric mixer or hand mixer – speeds up beating butter and sugar to get a light, fluffy texture.
- plastic wrap – needed to wrap dough disks tightly for chilling; keeps the dough fresh and easy to handle.
- rolling pin – helps roll the dough evenly to about 1/4 inch thickness so the cookies bake uniformly.
- gingerbread man cookie cutter – creates fun, uniform shapes quickly and easily.
- baking sheets lined with parchment or silicone mats – prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup.
- cooling rack – cool cookies completely before decorating; keeps them crisp and ready for icing.
- piping bags and small tips or decorating tools – for adding icing faces and details, making your cookies look festive.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Chocolate Gingerbread: Mix in 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients — for a rich, chocolatey twist that kids and adults love.
- Spiced Orange: Add 1 teaspoon orange zest to the dough for a bright citrus note that pairs nicely with spices.
- Ribbon Cookies: Roll out dough and decorate with colored icing or edible markers for multi-colored designs or messages.
- Chewy Version: Use a little less flour and bake for 7-8 minutes for softer, chewier cookies, perfect for bite-sized snacking.
How to Make Gingerbread Man Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decorating:
- White icing (store-bought or homemade royal icing)
- Red and green mini candy buttons or sprinkles
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Time Needed
This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare plus 1 hour (or overnight) to chill the dough. Baking takes about 8-10 minutes per batch, and decorating time depends on how creative you want to be. Overall, plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours from start to finish if decorating right after baking.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. This ensures all the spices and leavening are evenly combined.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. This makes a smooth base for the dough.
3. Add Wet Ingredients:
Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until everything is well mixed and smooth.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:
Gradually add the dry flour blend to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
5. Chill the Dough:
Divide the dough in half and shape each into a flat disk. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. Chilling makes the dough easier to roll and helps cookies hold their shape when baking.
6. Prepare to Bake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
7. Roll and Cut the Dough:
On a lightly floured surface, roll one disk of dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out shapes, then place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
8. Bake the Cookies:
Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. The edges should be firm but the centers may still be slightly soft.
9. Cool the Cookies:
Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Decorate:
Once the cookies are completely cool, use white icing to create faces and details on the arms and legs. Add the red and green candy buttons for clothes buttons. If you like, dust with a little powdered sugar for a snowy touch.
11. Store:
Keep your gingerbread men cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Enjoy making and sharing these warm, spicy gingerbread men that are sure to brighten any festive occasion!
Can I Use Frozen Dough for Gingerbread Man Cookies?
Yes! You can freeze the dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge, then roll and cut as usual.
How Should I Store Leftover Gingerbread Cookies?
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them soft longer, add a slice of bread to the container—it helps retain moisture.
Can I Substitute Molasses in This Recipe?
You can use dark corn syrup or honey if you don’t have molasses, but the flavor will be less robust and the texture slightly different. Molasses really gives that classic gingerbread taste.
How Do I Prevent Gingerbread Cookies from Spreading?
Chilling the dough for at least an hour before rolling and again chilling the cut cookies on the baking sheet helps them keep their shape during baking. Also, avoid rolling the dough too thin.