Soft Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe
Introduction
Soft Gingerbread Man Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for cozy afternoons or festive gatherings. These cookies combine warm spices and rich molasses for a tender, flavorful bite that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and molasses until well combined.
- Step 3: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Step 4: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour a surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Step 5: Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Step 6: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are set but the cookies remain soft. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the spice mix.
- If you prefer firmer cookies, bake for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid overbaking.
- Decorate your gingerbread men with royal icing or melted chocolate once cooled.
Storage
Store soft gingerbread man cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To maintain softness, place a slice of bread in the container to keep them moist. Reheat gently in a microwave for a few seconds if desired.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use honey instead of molasses?
Honey can be used, but it will change the flavor and texture. Molasses provides the traditional rich taste and chewy softness that honey may not replicate exactly.
How do I keep my cookies soft instead of crunchy?
Be careful not to overbake; remove cookies when edges are set but centers are still soft. Storing with a slice of bread helps keep them moist.
PrintSoft Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe
Soft Gingerbread Man Cookies are a delightful holiday treat featuring warm spices and rich molasses. These cookies are tender and chewy, perfect for decorating or enjoying plain with a cup of tea or coffee.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt until well combined. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until creamy and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to make it easier to roll out and cut shapes.
- Roll and Cut Shapes: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out shapes and transfer them to baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Avoid overbaking to maintain their tender texture.
- Cool and Decorate: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate as desired with icing or enjoy plain.
Notes
- For softer cookies, slightly underbake and allow them to cool on the baking sheet.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and soft.
- Molasses can be substituted with dark corn syrup for a milder flavor, but molasses provides the classic gingerbread taste.
- Experiment with decorating using royal icing or colored sugar for festive appearance.
- If dough is too sticky to handle, chill longer before rolling out.
Keywords: gingerbread cookies, soft cookies, holiday cookies, gingerbread man, molasses cookies, spiced cookies
