Gingerbread Men Cookies – Classic Holiday Recipe

These Gingerbread Men Cookies capture the warm, spiced essence of the holiday season in every bite. Made with aromatic ginger, cinnamon, and molasses, they’re perfectly soft with crisp edges — ideal for decorating or enjoying plain. This healthier version uses wholesome ingredients while maintaining that classic gingerbread flavor everyone loves.

Whether decorating with family or gifting to friends, these charming cookies are a holiday tradition that never goes out of style.

Summary

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
Servings: 20 cookies
Difficulty: Easy

Recipe Summary: Classic gingerbread men cookies made with warming spices and molasses. Soft with crisp edges, perfect for decorating — a wholesome holiday favorite.

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
  
• Electric mixer or whisk
  
• Medium bowl
  
• Rolling pin
  
• Gingerbread man cookie cutters
  
• Baking sheets
  
• Parchment paper
  
• Cooling rack
  

Ingredients for Gingerbread Men Cookies

For the Cookies

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  
• 1 tsp baking soda
  
• 1/2 tsp salt
  
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  
• 3/4 cup coconut sugar
  
• 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
  
• 1 large egg
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  

For Simple Icing (Optional)

• 1 cup powdered sugar
  
• 1-2 tbsp milk or almond milk
  
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  

Directions for Gingerbread Men Cookies

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
   
2. Cream Butter & Sugar: Beat butter and coconut sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
   
3. Add Molasses: Mix in molasses, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
   
4. Combine: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing until dough forms.
   
5. Chill: Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate 1 hour.
   
6. Preheat Oven: Set to 350 degrees F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
   
7. Roll & Cut: Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut gingerbread men shapes with cookie cutter.
   
8. Bake: Place cookies 2 inches apart on sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes until edges are firm.
   
9. Cool & Decorate: Cool on sheets 5 minutes, then transfer to rack. Decorate with icing once cool.
   

Tips & Variations

• Use unsulfured molasses for best flavor and nutrition.
  
• Substitute half the flour with whole wheat pastry flour.
  
• Add orange zest for a citrus note.
  
• Freeze dough for up to 3 months before rolling.
  
• Use raisins or dark chocolate chips for decorating naturally.
  

Nutrition Facts (Per Cookie)

Nutritional Highlights

• Ginger aids digestion and reduces inflammation
  
• Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar
  
• Molasses provides iron and calcium
  
• Natural spices offer antioxidant benefits
  

Dietitian Tips

• Choose unsulfured molasses for higher mineral content.
  
• Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index than white sugar.
  
• Warming spices may boost metabolism naturally.
  
• Enjoy with herbal tea for a comforting, balanced treat.
  

Conclusion

These Gingerbread Men Cookies bring warmth, tradition, and wholesome flavor to your holiday celebrations. With their perfect balance of spices and soft-yet-crisp texture, they’re a timeless favorite that creates memories with every batch. Decorate them with joy or enjoy them plain — either way, they’re pure holiday magic.

Gingerbread Men Cookies

Classic gingerbread men cookies made with warming spices and molasses. Soft with crisp edges, perfect for decorating — a wholesome holiday favorite.

Imprimer la recette Pin Recipe

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingrédients

  

• For the Cookies
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
• 3/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• For Simple Icing Optional
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tbsp milk or almond milk
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Electric mixer or whisk
• Medium bowl
• Rolling Pin
• Gingerbread man cookie cutters
• Baking sheets
• – Parchment paper
• Cooling rack

Method

 

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
2. Cream Butter & Sugar: Beat butter and coconut sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
3. Add Molasses: Mix in molasses, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Combine: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing until dough forms.
5. Chill: Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate 1 hour.
6. Preheat Oven: Set to 350 degrees F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll & Cut: Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut gingerbread men shapes with cookie cutter.
8. Bake: Place cookies 2 inches apart on sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes until edges are firm.
9. Cool & Decorate: Cool on sheets 5 minutes, then transfer to rack. Decorate with icing once cool.

Notes

Use unsulfured molasses for best flavor and nutrition.

Substitute half the flour with whole wheat pastry flour.

Add orange zest for a citrus note.

Freeze dough for up to 3 months before rolling.

Use raisins or dark chocolate chips for decorating naturally.

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