Who doesn’t love a good gingerbread man? This classic holiday treat is a staple in many households during the festive season. But why settle for a store-bought gingerbread man when you can make your own? In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make Gingy the Gingerbread Man from scratch. It’s a fun and delicious activity that the whole family can enjoy!
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves until well combined.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out the dough and place the cutouts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate with icing and candies as desired.
Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1 gingerbread man
Calories: 120
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 2.5g
Cholesterol: 20mg
Sodium: 90mg
Total Carbohydrates: 20g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 10g
Protein: 1g
Cooking Time
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Rolling pin
- Gingerbread man cookie cutter
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Serving Suggestions
Gingy the Gingerbread Man is perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or as a fun activity to do with the kids. Serve with a glass of milk or hot cocoa for the ultimate treat.
Variations
If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding chopped nuts, raisins, or dried cranberries to the dough for a festive twist. You can also experiment with different shapes and sizes of cookie cutters to create a variety of gingerbread treats.
Substitutions
If you don’t have molasses on hand, you can substitute with honey or maple syrup. You can also use margarine or shortening instead of butter if you prefer.
Storage
Gingy the Gingerbread Man can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months and bake as needed.
Tips
- Make sure your butter is at room temperature before beating it with the sugar.
- Don’t overmix the dough, as this can make it tough.
- Flour your rolling pin and surface well to prevent the dough from sticking.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate with icing and candies while the cookies are still warm, so they stick better.
Notes
This recipe makes about 20-24 gingerbread men, depending on the size of your cookie cutter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. However, the texture may be slightly different.
Can I use this recipe to make a gingerbread house?
Yes, you can use this recipe to make gingerbread house pieces. Just be sure to roll the dough out a bit thicker and bake for a few extra minutes.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can double or even triple this recipe if you need to make more gingerbread men.
Personal Thoughts
Gingy the Gingerbread Man is a classic holiday treat that never gets old. Making your own gingerbread men from scratch is a fun and rewarding activity, especially if you have kids to help out. This recipe is easy to follow and produces deliciously spiced cookies that are perfect for decorating. I highly recommend giving it a try this holiday season!
To summarize, Gingy the Gingerbread Man is a fun and delicious recipe that is perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or as a family activity. It’s easy to make, and the resulting cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone. So why not give it a try for yourself?
Happy baking!